Kenneth O’Neal White Obituary 1939-2013
Kenneth O’Neal White, age 73 years, a resident of Harman, went home to be with the Lord Saturday morning, April 6, 2013 at his home.
He was born July 6, 1939 at Harman a son of the late Effie Dell White.
Mr. White was raised by his grandparents, Isaac and Mary Louise White, and Aunt Thelma White, of Job, WV.
On July 14, 1991 in Texas, he was married to Wanda Hale White who survives at Harman.
Also surviving are two sons, Trevor White and Trenton White both of Alaska.
Two step children Jodie Anglin and husband Darrell of Austin, TX and Cody Gillis and wife Rebecca of Tatum, TX., one brother-in-law Cecil Hale and wife Karen of Abilene, TX, four sisters-in-law, Ruth Hyatt and husband Jess, Andrews, TX, Helen Vann and husband Bill, Phoenix, AZ, Mildred Crouch and husband Herbert, Hamlin, TX and Evelyn Glover and husband Phillip of Midland, TX, a special aunt, Louise Cunningham of Beverly and a special niece, Diana Lawson of Canal Fulton, OH, also survive. Preceding him in death was one son Tyler White.
Mr. White was a graduate of Harman High School class of 1957 as Valedictorian and Class President.
He attended Davis and Elkins College, was Student Body President his senior year, graduating with a Master’s Degree in journalism. He went on to receive degrees from Boston University and University of Oklahoma while in the military. He entered the Air Force after receiving his degree at Davis and Elkins College rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He served in Vietnam as a navigator for B-52 bombers and advisor to the South Vietnamese 41st Air Division, Da Nang Air Base who honored him with numerous awards. He also was base commander at Thule, Greenland. Mr. White retired a highly decorated Lt. Colonel receiving the bronze star with a V for valor. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Number 5781, American Legion Post Number 0200 and a life member of the National Rifle Association. He was a columnist for The Daily Commercial Recorder in San Antonio, TX. His love of music began with a banjo given to him by a teacher, Mr. Swecker. Ken played music all his life winning many championship awards in fiddle, banjo and mandolin. He was instrumental in the formation of the North Fork Opry and hosted the Allegheny Show on WELD radio station at Fisher, WV until his passing. He was avid about providing budding musicians with fine quality instruments. He was a member of Voice of Freedom Baptist Church, Greenville, NC. His passion was to serve God and play music. At the request of Ret. Lt. Col. White his remains were cremated. A memorial celebration of life will be held at 1:30 pm Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. Pastor Todd Rhodes will officiate and interment of the cremains will follow in the American Legion’s Little Arlington Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded at the gravesite by members of the United States Air Force Honor Guard. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Kenneth O’Neal White.
Kenneth O’Neal White Obituary 1939-2013
