David Richard White's Obituary
David Richard White (1920-2013) WHITE, DAVID RICHARD was born on September 4, 1920 on the White family farm just a few miles north of Vernon, Texas. He was one of eight children and grew up on the farm which raised cotton, vegetables, and farm animals that sustained the family. The Whites had settled the land in the late 1800’s and the area came to be known as White City. Growing up on the farm was a lot of work as all hands were needed to bring in the crops and handle all the other chores that had to be done during those times. But there was time for some recreation now and then. Richard loved to get away and go fishing whenever the opportunity arose. And years later he would tell about his adventures riding “Old Ed” and the time he ran into a skunk in one of his traps on the way to school. Needless to say, the teacher decided it would be OK to miss that day and head back home for some cleanup. At age 18 it was time to head off to college at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He graduated in 1942 and was a lifelong loyal alumnus, enjoying watching Tech football games the rest of his life. World War II was in progress and Richard served in the Army Air Corps in Oklahoma for a few years. He would often proudly state that there was not a single enemy attack on Oklahoma during his tour of duty there. Richard often mentioned his friendship with Lowell Hite of Vernon who served with the famous “Doolittle Raiders” during WW II and was held over 3 years as a prisoner of war in Japan. After the war, Richard set off to begin his career becoming an auditor for Oilwell Division of US Steel. He travelled at first and then settled in Dallas, Texas with his wife Joline. They started a family in 1955 when son Larry was born in Dallas. Later, in 1961 Paul was born completing the family. They moved to Richardson, Texas in the early 1960’s where Larry and Paul grew up. He greatly enjoyed family vacations to New Mexico and Arkansas during the 1960’s and 70’s. It will come as no surprise that these trips often involved getting in some fishing time. Richard finished up his career with Oilwell in the late 1970’s. He then ran a part time business selling cassette tapes and CD’s to various Dallas area retailers for several more years. During this time he served as elder at Easton Road Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas for over 25 years. After his wife Joline passed away in mid-1998, he entered the later phases of his life living with his son Paul in Rowlett, Texas for a few years. When Paul married his wife Dana they moved to Plano, Texas. While he missed Joline, he still enjoyed his time with family and friends at church and always volunteered to help out keeping his granddaughter Julie any time he could. Family and friends recall how he loved to spend time with his family and especially if it involved going fishing with Larry and Paul. He was part of a generation that believed that God, Country and Family were your priorities and Richard gave his best effort to serve them all. He will be missed, but we know that he is in much better place now and we are happy to recall his strong faith and all the wonderful times we shared. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Sunday, December 15, 2013 at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday, December 16, 2013 at Restland Abbey Chapel.
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