Howard Overton White's Obituary
Howard Overton White, age 98 passed away in Tucson Arizona on January 28,
2016 from pneumonia. He was born in the family farm house near Port Orchard
Washington in 1917 to Anna Laura Todd and Howard Allen White. He was the 4th
child and only son, with 4 sisters, Gertrude Eleanor, Dorothy Azubah, Mary Alice and
Ann Margaret.
Dad would walk miles to and from school every day. When he was older he took the
ferry from Port Orchard to West Seattle High School and knew the ferry personnel
well enough to be a frequent visitor in the pilothouse.
Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Marines and when his 4 years were up, he enlisted
in the Army Air Corp to become a pilot. He flew the military version of the famous
DC3 called the C 47, a twin engine transport and he flew cargo and troops all
throughout Europe.
He then enrolled in engineering classes at the University of Washington, and soon met
our Mom, Betty Kathleen Peterson who was also enrolled there. They met at a UW
Dance, which cost $0.40 to get in. He still had the ticket and wrote on the back "Met
Betty".
They married in September 1947. When they learned that they would have twins in
late November of 1948, Dad quit school and joined the Boeing Aircraft Co and the Air
Force Reserve. He retired a Major from the Air Force Reserves as a Major in 1977 and
he retired from Boeing in 1984.
Dad was always busy with something, usually assembling or building something, like
radios, stereos, amplifiers, and doing finish work on our homes. As he neared
retirement, he wanted a really big project. So in the 80's he began building a 36'
trimaran sailboat in the back yard. It was launched in 1991 and the family enjoyed
sailing it as much as possible.
Mom passed in 2008 from Parkinson's and it took a toll on all of us, particularly Dad
who adored her in a marriage that lasted 61 years. Dad kept busy with correspondence
and charities until it became too hard to manage. He was always interested in learning
and watched the History channel and Smithsonian channel almost exclusively.
He will be especially remembered for his temperament, humor, thoughtfulness and
always a spirit of adventure.
He is survived by all of his children, Galen (and wife Sam), Jeff (and wife Susie), Eric
(and wife Christie) and Nancy (and husband Ray), 8 grandchildren and 3 great
grandchildren.
The White family would like to extend a special thank you
What’s your fondest memory of Howard ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Howard ?
Share a story where Howard 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Howard you’ll never forget.
How did Howard make you smile?