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Wendell White Obituary
November 6, 1953 - January 2, 2014
Wendell made us laugh, think about life's possibilities, and be true to what we believed in. He played the electric guitar with his own signature sound that we knew was his whenever we heard it. We loved to hear him harmonize with Penny and got goosebumps when he sang with his sisters. Our family Christmas music time with all the nieces and nephews and sibs joining in was pure joy, especially when he told the little ones he was their "Uncle Beer Breath!" His paintings won top awards. He loved his kitties and adopted Mamby the Scottish Terrier and Sara the cat after two close friends passed away. Our saving grace of God that will get us through this ultimate hell is the miracle of watching Wendell being embraced by our Mom that morning as she took her favorite son home. It was five days of shock and support for our wonderful Wendell Curtis White. 60 is so young. He was so brave and we will never be the same. We would all love to be more like him.
Wendell Curtis White passed away on January 2, 2014, at Kaiser Hospital of pancreatic cancer following a very short illness. Modesto was his home. He is survived by his beloved wife, Penny; his step-mother, Jo; his brothers, Ken (Robin) and Tom (Leona); sisters, Deb Farrell (Carl) and Sammy Leverone (Scott); as well as nephews and nieces, Jason White (Lacey) and Trevor White, Connie and Kathleen Farrell, Jackson and Lauren Leverone; and grand-nephew Connor and grand-niece Teagan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Connie.
Wendell and Penny were owners of Tees To Please, Inc. Wendell was a talented, respected musician for 48 years. He was a member of Shadowchase Running Club. The bands he was part of included Pax, Countryside, Sundance, Bump 'N Grind, Quiver, Home Grown, JB Blues Band, and The Bridge. Wendell had celebrated five years of recovery this past September. He was training for his first marathon.
For the last two years, Wendell had been working on a CD of original songs, which will be released at a to-be-scheduled celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wendell White Scholarship Fund, c/o US Bank.
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Memories and Condolences
for Wendell White
Mary Strangio
January 3, 2023
Never forgotten..
Sara Pires
May 27, 2014
Penny I am so sorry for your loss when u told me of his passing this pass sat at the vet run -- I just expected him to be there and when u told me I was crushed he was pleasant funny and full of life I will miss him on the runs and please let me know if there is anything I can help u
May 27, 2014
So I see penny this pass sat at the vet run and I was lookin for Wendell when after my run she came and gave me a hug and the first thing I said "where is he" meaning Wendell and that is when Penny told me I was shocked cried and jst hugged Penny -- he made me laugh when ever I bumped I to him on these runs -/ very pleasant full of life -- I am so sorry Penny please call me and let me know how u r doing as I continue my runs I know Wendell will be rite there as well RIP dear friend I will miss u and your great smile
Sandy Bettencourt
March 10, 2014
My thoughts are with you all. What an incredible loss so quick and too soon. Wendy was a good childhood friend and a part of our G Gang (Gracada Park). I will never forget when Wendy got caught teaching me to drive by his dad when I will 14! His smile, laugh, shyness, talent will always be with me. He was loved by us all. My sisters and husband Kurt are saddened for your loss.
Barbara Miller
February 12, 2014
Penny, I am really saddened by Wendall's passing. He was such a talented man. His enthusiasm for life was evident at almost all times. He loved his music and more recently his relationship with The ShadowChase Running Club. He was like a cheerleader for our club.
I really miss him.
Mary Strangio
January 23, 2014
Oh, what sad news. I was a close friend to Wendy during the GDHS and CountrySide years. Tom and Connie and family were such a fine family structure. Debbie and Sammy, I am so sorry and my prayers are with you and your family.
Martha Dayns
January 21, 2014
This was a vibrant spirit. The light of this spirit will be missed but shine on in another place. Meeting this man was a special treat from God. May the Holy Spirit surround the family and friends of this avid music maker with comforting sounds. God Bless you all.
Gordon Balch
January 21, 2014
So sorry and sad for the loss of Wendell. He was such a wonderful person with a great smile. He was also a great musician and a man with so much talent. To Penny and the White Family our hearts and prayers are with you.
The Balch Family,
Gordon,Kristi,and Mia
Jon Rowland
January 21, 2014
I am so shocked to hear of Wendell's passing. Ken forwarded the announcement to me today. I haven't seen Wendell for years but we shared many great times at Roosevelt and Davis high and played baseball and softball together for years. The last time I saw Wendell was when his band played at the UCD Veterinary School Smoker at the Dixon Fairgrounds. My heartfelt condolences to the entire White family.
Rick Serna
January 13, 2014
Wendell will be missed by many! I am glad to say I got to know him better over the years. So sorry for your loss Penny.
Don MacRitchie
January 12, 2014
Wendell was my oldest friend. We met in 5th grade when I moved to Modesto. I ended up growing up as much in the White household as I did in my own. Those years were among the best years of my life - Wendell and I playing ball in Pikes Park, watching Bob Wilkins on Saturday nights, vacations with Connie, Tom and the whole family (my first hang-over was in a Long Barn cabin with the the Whites), laying on the floor in our pajamas after sleep overs where Wendy and I developed our interest in drawing by copying artwork from the pages of the Fantastic Four, Thor and Spiderman while Tom and Connie whipped up our favorite breakfast - hot chocolate and cinnamon toast (soon after the Beatles hit, we drew up costumes for our new band, The Jaguars. One possible explanation for The Jaguars' failure to top the charts was that Wendy was the only member that actually bothered to go on and learn an instrument).
So many good times. I am so lucky to have had them, yet this is so hard to take, because I always thought there would be a lot more to come.
Craig & Mickey Cox
January 12, 2014
To Penny and the White family, are deepest sympathy!
To Kenny, I'm real sorry about your brother! I know your Mom & Dad were there to welcome him Home!
Our lord gives us such wonder us gifts through out our lives, but lakes some back as we get older. God Bless!
Sue Mau
January 9, 2014
My love and condolences to Penny, Deborah and families. I have met only a few special people that make a lasting impression, and Wendell was at the top of the list. He always made me feel like a friend, my only regret...not sharing more years with him. I will miss him.
Lyn Ross
January 8, 2014
So so sorry to hear of Wendell's passing. I did not know him well but my lil brother Willie Honeycutt knew penny & Wendell well.. They played a absolutely moving rendition of landslide at Willies service, that I will never forget.. I know there is peace and happiness forever for Wendelll..
Lyn Ross and the Family of Willie Honeycutt
Doug Clymo
January 8, 2014
Our midnigt chats will be missed rip
Kelly Murry - Weideman
January 8, 2014
I can't imagine how boring our childhood would have been had we not grown up next to the White family. Such fun memories! My heart is with all of you.
Tac Conway
January 7, 2014
my prayers got out to Penny and family ...Wendell was a great guy ....one of a kind for sure...Tac Conway
Debi Streeter Brown
January 7, 2014
To Penny and the White Family
I am so sorry for your loss. ....what a beautiful write up....May God comfort you during this difficult time
Sheila Ruiz Harrell
January 7, 2014
Our family met Wendell and his family in 1957, living down the street from them while our dads worked together for Pac Bell. Wendell was such a sweet little boy, growing into the wonderful person he became. From our Harrell Family to the White family, you're in our hearts and prayers.
shelly streeter
January 7, 2014
I loved your words for Wendell. He is already missed!!! hugs to the family especially Penny and Deb
Carol Avana
January 7, 2014
We will all miss you so much. especially that smile and your laugh. You made playing music pure joy. Thanks for taking care of your bend in the river...Godspeed be with you and your family now and always... till we meet again my friend.... thanks for the ride
Steve Ashman
January 7, 2014
Wendell was one of a kind. A wonderful sense of humor, a creative musician and a kind heart ... play on my friend (and turn down!) - ;)
Susan Allen
January 7, 2014
My sympathies to the White family at this very difficult time. I only know Ken, my GDHS '66 friend, but you are all in my thoughts
Jeff Chilton
January 6, 2014
I had the privilege of playing with Wendell in the Bridge for at least 10 years...It was a wonderful experience and brother hood...I'll always have the fondest memories of Wendell as an excellent musician and human being..jc
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