DONALD WALTER WHITE

1937 - 2008

Donald W. White passed away suddenly at his home in Los Angeles, CA on June 19, 2008. He will be missed by, not only his family, but literally hundreds of friends and associates of the many organizations in which he was so passionately involved over the past four decades.

Born in Anacortes Washington April 18, 1937, his life was a reflection of the last 60 years of the progressive movement in the United States. In Don's own words: "My own political life began nearly 50 years ago in the Pacific Northwest as a student opposing the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and protesting the witch hunt of the ultra-rightwing U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy. My sense of justice was fine tuned in those ugly years of the 1950s."

He was raised in Mount Vernon, WA and Don's leadership abilities became recognized early as he was president of his sophomore class and then president of the Mount Vernon High School Student Body. He graduated from the College (now University) of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, studying political science and journalism, attended post graduate classes at American University in the District of Columbia. Becoming disenchanted with the political scene in Washington, DC, Don moved to California in 1963 where he began a new career at Washington Irving Junior High School teaching U.S. History for over thirty years until his retirement in 1997. As a charter and lifetime member of United Teachers of Los Angeles, he was deeply committed to issues of equity in educational opportunity, especially for children in the inner cities. Don participated in every Teacher's Union strike from 1963 until his retirement in 1997.

In 1976, while performing a month of relief work after the Guatemalan earthquake, Don's eyes were opened to the severe economic and social injustice of Central America. Working with the Office of The Americas and CISPES, the Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador in the early eighties he organized demonstrations protesting interventionist policies in Central America and elsewhere, raised funds for direct material aid, taught English to Central American refugees and participated in informational forums to both communities and to college and university students. His passion for the people of Central America resulted in several trips including monitoring of elections, and support of the Salvadoran people. "My involvement with the Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador gave me a 'front row seat' in the solidarity and liberation movements of the 1980s and enriched my life with 14 trips to Central America. My special continuing bond with the Central American community is a treasure of my life'"

He has served on the boards of many organizations involving social and political injustice which include CISPES, Office of the Americas, Radio Station KPFK and the National Board of The Pacifica Radio Network.

The family appreciates the multitude of condolences received from throughout the nation and Central America.
Don is survived by his brother Dennis and his wife Harriet; stepbrother Raymond Way; nieces Denise Smith and Lori White; grandnieces Haley Smith, Rachel LaCasse; and grandnephew, Campbell; sister-in-law Lucretia (Bobbie) Way; nephews George and Gary Way and their families and many friends in the Pacific Northwest and throughout not only California, but the entire nation.

Memorial services are being planned for August 17, 2008 in the Mount Vernon/Anacortes area.

For additional information on Don's life and comments from his many friends and supporters go: www.kpfk.org or www.cispes.org\donpresente