Date of Birth January 12, 1930
Date of Death July 2, 2010

Donald Jene White was born January 12, 1930, to Merle and Ruby White in Arkansas City, Kansas. Merle was employed at the Shell Refinery until it closed in 1938; at that time the family moved to the farm 5 miles east and 2 south of Caldwell. Don attended Alton school which was on the northeast corner of their farm. He rode his horse to school and the horse would go back home by itself. When he was in 8th grade, he transferred to Caldwell and graduated from High School in 1948. He attended Southwestern College for one year and after deciding he wanted to farm, he transferred to Kansas State the next year to take agriculture. In the spring of 1952, he volunteered to take a group of students from the Methodist Foundation to do a church service in a small county Methodist Church in Clay County. Among this group was a girl named Gloria Johnston. He called her later for a date. She refused him, first thinking she already had a date for that night, but then realized it was for another night so changed her answer to yes. By the end of the school year the couple knew there was no separating them. Don knew he was going to be drafted because of the Korean War, so as soon as harvest was over at Caldwell, he enlisted in the Air Force.

The couple married the next January and lived near Dennison, Texas the next 3 ½ years, where Don was stationed at Perrin Air Force Base. While living on the farm the summer after getting out of the air force, their daughter Giselle, was born. After the wheat was in that fall, Don and the family moved to Wichita where he worked at Boeing for 5 years. In 1961 the family moved back to the farm and in 1968 added Craig to their family.

Don retired from farming in 1995 and the couple moved into Caldwell, and then to Tulsa and finally to Owasso to be closer to Giselle and Michael.

Don loved his church in Caldwell and enjoyed taking part in all its activities. He served as Chairman of the board and on many committees. He was an usher and took care of the sound system. After retiring he spent many hours working as a volunteer at the hospital for the Auxiliary; driving people to the doctor representing the Care Network, picking up materials on a regular route around Caldwell for recycling and working regularly at the Recycling Center. He really enjoyed Friday mornings when the golfing gang always played a round of golf. They didn’t keep score so no one had to feel sad about his score.

Don loved to sing and always enjoyed singing a solo in church. He also was so proud to be called a member of the Masonic Order and delivered the funeral rites for many years.

Don’s favorite hobbies were family genealogy and Caldwell history. He and Gloria took many trips collecting data to add to their research. After retiring from farming, both of these hobbies absorbed much of his time and he loved them.

Last weekend, June 26, the entire family met in Owasso for a family reunion. Everyone came and had a great time together. Don enjoyed it a lot even though he was very ill. It was a great event and wonderful farewell to Don.

Don passed away early Friday morning, July 2, 2010 in Owasso, OK at the age of 80.

Don is survived by his wife Gloria, of Owasso, OK; son Craig and his wife Jennifer of Pegram, TN; daughter Giselle Lenhart and her husband Dr. Michael of Owasso, OK; grandchildren Luke Lenhart of Woodinville, WA, and Sandra Atchley and husband Klint of Arlington, TX, step grandchildren Megan and Steven Phouthavong of Pegram, TN. The joy of his life was his first born great grandchild Judah, born last December 22. Also surviving are his brother Duane White and wife Jackie of Prairie Village, KS and nieces Dena White and Marla Harris and husband Chris and nephew, Rick and wife Christy and families.

Friends may call at the mortuary from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 2010 and from 1:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 4, 2010.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 5, 2010 at the United Methodist Church in Caldwell.

Memorials may be given in Don's name to the First United Methodist Church, Caldwell or to the Caldwell Recycling Center.

Interment will be in the Caldwell City Cemetery, Caldwell, Kansas.