Gerald W. White

WHITE GERALD WARREN WHITE (Age 78) Of Clifton, VA, passed away Tuesday morning, August 31, 2010 at the Fairfax Nursing Center, Fairfax, VA. He was born on August 22, 1932, the son of the late William and Irene Besteder White. The White family owned and operated the White''s Ferry along the Susquehanna River in Tunkhannock for more than 100 years. He began his education at home being home Schooled, then attended a one room school house in South Eaton, graduated from Tunkhannock Area High School in 1949, He graduated after two years at Keystone Jr. College, then attended and graduated from Penn State University in 1953. After College he started his working career with Pratt Whitney an aircraft engine manufacturing Company. While with Pratt Whitney he studied at Renesselaer Polytechnic Institute. His career in the Aviation propulsion field lead to a job with the Central Intelligence Agency where he served for 35 years until his retirement in April of 1995. After his retirement he gave guided tours at the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. He also was an ornithologist, enjoyed teaching boy scouts and other organizations the study of Bluebirds at the park In Clifton, VA. Where he helped in making and maintaining the Bluebird trails. He belonged to the Virginia Bluebird Society and was a 45 year member of the AIAA, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He was a member of Clifton Presbyterian Church serving as Elder. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and a brother William White. Surviving is a brother Robert and his wife Geraldine of Stevensville; sister-in-law Lorraine White of Meshoppen; three nephews Mark and his wife Linda of Laceyville, David and his wife Cindy of Meshoppen, Kevin and his companion Betty Anne of Meshoppen; a niece Linda Pallis and her husband Gerald of Lake Carey. Funeral Service will be Saturday, September 4 at 12 noon from the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA with Rev. Kenneth Trexler of the Tunkhannock Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment at South Eaton Cemetery. Friends may call at the Funeral Home One hour before service. A memorial Service of Gerald''s Life will be Saturday, September 11 at 11 a.m. from the Clifton Presbyterian Church, Clifton, VA with Pastor Lynn Staton conducting the service. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the Fellowship Hall in the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Air and Space Museum new wing Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 14390 Air & Space Pkwy Chantilly, VA 20151. Virginia Bluebird Society 726 William Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401.Memorial contributions may be made to the National Air and Space Museum new wing Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 14390 Air & Space Pkwy Chantilly, VA 20151. Virginia Bluebird Society 726 William Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401.