John A. White Jr.

John A. White, Jr., 81, returned to the arms of our sweet Lord and Savior, October 28, 2007.John was born January 24, 1926 to John (Sr.) and Lois White of Palestine, Texas. After serving in World War II and the Korean War, John pursued employment in the Permian Basin of West Texas, where he met and married his wife of 54 years, Juanita Nixon of Andrews, TexasIn the proceeding years, John and family lived in Odessa and Midland, Texas and Hobbs, New Mexico where he followed a career in the energy service sector. Next to his family, John’s passion was seen in his devotion and contributions to the development of young men for over 40 years through Boy Scouts. For his dedication and service in the Buffalo Trails Council, John was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver Award. John also participated as a Little League coach, President of the Southside Lions Club of Midland, and President of the Midland Lee Booster Club. By 1983 John retired from the Permian Corporation and moved back to his childhood home near Slocum in East Texas where he lived until his death. John was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hobbs and Midland before retiring to East Texas. For the past few years both John and Juanita were devoted home parishioners of the late Adrain Rogers Television Ministry.John is survived by his sweet wife Juanita and his two sons Dohn and John White. One sister Jean Howard and brother William White, grandchildren Ryan and Angela White, Tamara and Chris Lewis, and Stephen White, six great grandchildren and their little dog, Sam III. John is preceded in death by his parents, and a sister JoeAnn Luker.Honorary pallbearers are Tracy Nixon, Harvey Wetzel, Danny Martin, Bryant Martin, Mike Everett, Billy Everett, and Johnny Everett, Floyd Tate, Lance Slack, the Lawrences and Bruce Peeler.Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bailey and Foster Funeral Home, Palestine. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Wilson Cemetery with nephew Gary Luker officiating under the direction of Bailey and Foster Funeral Home, Palestine. Dad will always be remembered as a loving father and husband and a devoted mentor in the cause of the development of honorable young men. One of these days we will play catch again with Dad.