Claude Henry White

January 28, 1925 – January 10, 2020

Our dear Daddy, PaPa and FaFa finished his assignment on earth just three weeks shy of his 95th birthday. Family hero, pastor and friend, he lived an exceptional life of love, joy and peace. His uncompromising integrity, humor and optimism made him a valued friend and treasured confidant throughout 78 years of ministry. To escape The Depression, the White family picked crops from peaches to cotton earning just enough to make the next leg of the journey from Arkansas to California. The youngest of seven children, at 12 years old he picked over a hundred pounds of cotton a day. The Whites were skilled carpenters and plasterers and settled outside of Bakersfield in what could barely be called a town, Lamont. There he perfected impeccable control of a baseball and developed a wicked curveball. As a freshman, after pitching a no-hitter on the JV baseball team at Bakersfield High School, (a school with several thousand students,) the Varsity coach said, “Claude, there’s a varsity uniform in the locker room with your name on it.”

While Daddy was never one to shade the truth, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, his patriotism led him to enter age 18 on the draft application when he was just 17. As an army medic in the South Pacific, his service was overshadowed with danger having survived a kamikaze attack. The plane was so close that the terrified soldiers could see the face of the Japanese pilot. The enemy plane was shot down only yards away from impact with the ship. His life was spared on at least four more occasions including the treacherous landing and battle for Luzon as well as being cut off from his unit and pinned down by enemy fire. Chosen for the honor of carrying the American flag for the Japanese surrender of Mindanao, upon discharge he had reached the rank of Master Sergeant. He loved the people of the South Pacific and often shared his food as well as the wonderful message of God’s love with the villagers across the islands.

After receiving a newsletter from the Rose of Sharon Bible School outside of Bakersfield, he saw a picture of Ruth Carter. His first week home from the war he was asked to speak at a youth rally and there she was, Ruth, his soon to be bride. Their lifelong love affair of 71 years included ministry together and building a home filled with music, laughter and an ongoing example of godly living to their two daughters, Deanna and Jan. A man ahead of his time, Daddy was Mom’s greatest cheerleader as she became a writer and speaker during a time when women stayed at home and in the background of their husband’s ministry. She was a prolific author of seven books, and they traveled extensively throughout the country as she spoke in churches and on television. He was proud of his beautiful “Ruthie” and worked to support and encourage her gifts and talents.

Together their ministry included: Pastorates in Whittier, El Centro, and Hanford, California. Presbyter, Director of Christian Education, Area Director over fifty churches in the Southern California District of the Assemblies of God denomination and a member of the Board of Regents of Vanguard University. Among his greatest joys were mentoring young pastors and encouraging those who needed help and reconciliation. The rich and poor were equal in Daddy’s eyes. His ministry to migrant workers included providing warm meals, encouragement and ministering the hope of Christ. His wisdom and uncanny wit made him a favorite advisor in difficult meetings regarding church government and discipline. A great listener, at the end of the discussions, the question would be asked, “Claude, what do you think?” His fairness and compassion consistently directed challenging decisions to a resolution of accountability balanced with compassion and restoration. A humble man, he never assumed that he knew more than others but because of his wisdom and judgment, he often did.

A man of so many gifts he was an artist, musician and a six handicap golfer who played tournament events into his eighties and had two verified holes in one. His accomplishments were not something that one would hear from him unless asked. Then old stories would be told with self-deprecating humor and a wry smile.) The San Diego Union called him “ The Pitching Preacher” after winning the AAA city league baseball championship. During a playoff game his team was behind. It was the bottom of the 9th and Daddy was at bat. The pitch found the sweet spot of Daddy’s bat resulting in a screaming line drive up the middle to win the game.

Daddy was kind, honorable, loving to the poor and disenfranchised and treasured by his family. He lives on in our hearts as Daddy to Deanna and Greg Bryant, Jan and Bill Mantzel, Papa to Kevin and Kristi Bryant, FaFa to great grandchildren Kaleb and Kelsey, Papa to Koby and Shannon Bryant and FaFa to their children, Rakel and Dominic.

I Corinthians 13:1-13

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels but don’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or clanging symbol…If I gave everything I have to the poor but didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of being wronged…love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance…three things last forever – faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is LOVE.

Service:

Victorville First Assembly of God

15260 Nisquali Road

Victorville, CA 92395

11 AM Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020