Dale L. White Sr.

1921 - 2014

Dale Lewis White Sr., 92, most beloved husband, father, uncle and granddad, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. Service: A private family memorial service was held at his bedside. Memorials: The family respectfully requests that donations be made to the National Alzheimer's Association. Dale was born Nov. 24, 1921, to Berlin and Ruth White. He was raised in Mattoon, Ill. Throughout his life, Dale accomplished many things. He began as an aircraft mechanic in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and became an instructor/pilot in the Army Air Corps as well. Upon leaving the military, he flew as an airline pilot for Delta Air Lines until he retired in 1981. During his youth, he attended the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, and for a time played the stand-up bass in a touring swing/jazz band. He could also play the piano, guitar and trumpet. At some point, when his children were young, he refurbished a Cessna 140 and taught his son Steve to fly. Steve followed his father's footsteps and became an airline pilot as a result. Dale played golf and reached the level of scratch golfer. He then taught his wife and sons how to play. Eldest son Dale Jr. played golf professionally. There wasn't an engine Dale couldn't fix or a piece of furniture he couldn't build or repair. He built the family home in Westlake, where he held the position of mayor for many years. Dale never did anything halfway. He learned to play pool quite well and was such a skilled fly fisherman that he actually invented a side cast that a professional fly-fishing guide and expert wrote of in his book, adopted and uses to this day. Dale was very much a family man and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him. He set a great example for his children of an amazing husband, father and grandfather. Our family Sunday football games won't be the same without him. Dale was preceded in death by his wife and best friend Geraldine, "Gerry," on Oct. 1, 2013; sister, Logrita; and daughter, Leslie Sue White. Survivors: His family and living memorials include his son, Dr. Dale L. White Jr. and his wife, Debbie; son, Steve and his wife, Teri; son, Dr. Keith Hubbard and his wife, Dianne; and grandchildren, Amy, Dale, Donald, Courtney, Kyle, Keller, Lynsi and her husband Brad, Kelsi, Cara and Natali; his great-grandchildren, Samantha, Madeline and Rory; his nieces, Lisa and Susan; and many lifelong friends.