Orley Francis White passed away peacefully on the morning of January 11, 2026 in Plano, Texas. He was 91 years old.
Orley was born at home in Florence, Missouri on March 30, 1934 to his parents Hersel Francis White and Eula Fern Bultemeir-White. His early childhood was in Roseville, Illinois until the family moved to Davenport, Iowa, a place he always called home. He was proud to be a product of the Davenport schools and community. Always ambitious, while a student he had a newspaper route and later worked at local stores. His work enabled him to buy his first car which began his love for cars both old and new. He had one older sister, Imogene and two younger sisters, Cheryl and Carol. He received a business degree from Augustana college in Rock Island, Illinois where he ran track. It was at Augustana where he met his wife to be Karen Ann Newman.
Orley was born to be a salesman. As a college student he sold pots and pans successfully door to door. Following college he went to work for the Ford Motor Company district office in Davenport. Later, he was employed by LD Caulk and then SS White, both dental supply companies which took the family to Pennsylvania and Michigan. The dental business turned out to be the direction of his life when he was then hired by the Pelton & Crane company, a dental equipment manufacturer in Charlotte, NC. In 1970 he was transferred to Plano, TX where he developed lifetime friends with many dentists while designing space and installing equipment in their dental offices. When all the traveling involved with work grew tiring, he joined together with a friend to form Archer and White Sales in Richardson, Texas; a local dental equipment and supplies company. Archer and White was the final chapter of his sales career, working there until he retired at the age of 72.
Orley was never a man to sit idle. Following retirement Orley continued his volunteer work with the charity “Love in Action”, collecting used dental equipment and supplies from retiring dentists. These would be donated to countries in need around the world.
Orley and his wife Karen were married for just shy of 68 years, raising 4 children: Kenneth Francis, Martha Ann, Barbara Ann, and David James.
Orley continued his love of classic cars throughout his life and was an avid auto racing fan; especially dirt track sprint car racing. At the age of 80 he drove a Nascar stock car several laps around the track at Texas Motor Speedway. In his younger years, he and Karen enjoyed playing lots of tennis both together and with friends. Orley enjoyed camping, canoeing, bird watching, and the outdoors in general. He rarely missed a kid’s or grandkid’s soccer game, tennis match, or swim meet, and he was always loud and proud on the sidelines or in the bleachers. He was well known for his impeccable lawn care. He was always quick with a laugh and to tell or listen to a joke.
Orley is survived by:
Wife* Karen Ann Newman-White
Son* Kenneth Francis White (Kristin)
Daughter* Martha Ann Albers (Jeff)
Daughter* Barbara Ann Ulbricht (Ed)
Son* David James White (Jessica)
Grandchildren* Emily Ann Phelan (Ryan), Eddie Ulbricht, Joey Ulbricht, Willow White, Ansel White, Elin White, Tabor White
Step Grandchildren* Lisa Pullen, Stephanie Cardona (Joey), Rachel Mpala (Shane)
Great Grandchildren* Margot Phelan, Bridget Phelan
Step Great Grandchildren* Kendahl Waddill, Kaeleigh Cardona, Marvel Cardona, Lewis Pullen, Preston Cardona
Sister* Carol Mae White
Towards the end, the sad disease of Alzheimers began to slowly take our husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend away from us; but even up until his final days we would occasionally see the smile and the flashes of the man he once was. We will miss him.
A “celebration of life” is intended for some time in the future.
Orley was born at home in Florence, Missouri on March 30, 1934 to his parents Hersel Francis White and Eula Fern Bultemeir-White. His early childhood was in Roseville, Illinois until the family moved to Davenport, Iowa, a place he always called home. He was proud to be a product of the Davenport schools and community. Always ambitious, while a student he had a newspaper route and later worked at local stores. His work enabled him to buy his first car which began his love for cars both old and new. He had one older sister, Imogene and two younger sisters, Cheryl and Carol. He received a business degree from Augustana college in Rock Island, Illinois where he ran track. It was at Augustana where he met his wife to be Karen Ann Newman.
Orley was born to be a salesman. As a college student he sold pots and pans successfully door to door. Following college he went to work for the Ford Motor Company district office in Davenport. Later, he was employed by LD Caulk and then SS White, both dental supply companies which took the family to Pennsylvania and Michigan. The dental business turned out to be the direction of his life when he was then hired by the Pelton & Crane company, a dental equipment manufacturer in Charlotte, NC. In 1970 he was transferred to Plano, TX where he developed lifetime friends with many dentists while designing space and installing equipment in their dental offices. When all the traveling involved with work grew tiring, he joined together with a friend to form Archer and White Sales in Richardson, Texas; a local dental equipment and supplies company. Archer and White was the final chapter of his sales career, working there until he retired at the age of 72.
Orley was never a man to sit idle. Following retirement Orley continued his volunteer work with the charity “Love in Action”, collecting used dental equipment and supplies from retiring dentists. These would be donated to countries in need around the world.
Orley and his wife Karen were married for just shy of 68 years, raising 4 children: Kenneth Francis, Martha Ann, Barbara Ann, and David James.
Orley continued his love of classic cars throughout his life and was an avid auto racing fan; especially dirt track sprint car racing. At the age of 80 he drove a Nascar stock car several laps around the track at Texas Motor Speedway. In his younger years, he and Karen enjoyed playing lots of tennis both together and with friends. Orley enjoyed camping, canoeing, bird watching, and the outdoors in general. He rarely missed a kid’s or grandkid’s soccer game, tennis match, or swim meet, and he was always loud and proud on the sidelines or in the bleachers. He was well known for his impeccable lawn care. He was always quick with a laugh and to tell or listen to a joke.
Orley is survived by:
Wife* Karen Ann Newman-White
Son* Kenneth Francis White (Kristin)
Daughter* Martha Ann Albers (Jeff)
Daughter* Barbara Ann Ulbricht (Ed)
Son* David James White (Jessica)
Grandchildren* Emily Ann Phelan (Ryan), Eddie Ulbricht, Joey Ulbricht, Willow White, Ansel White, Elin White, Tabor White
Step Grandchildren* Lisa Pullen, Stephanie Cardona (Joey), Rachel Mpala (Shane)
Great Grandchildren* Margot Phelan, Bridget Phelan
Step Great Grandchildren* Kendahl Waddill, Kaeleigh Cardona, Marvel Cardona, Lewis Pullen, Preston Cardona
Sister* Carol Mae White
Towards the end, the sad disease of Alzheimers began to slowly take our husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend away from us; but even up until his final days we would occasionally see the smile and the flashes of the man he once was. We will miss him.
A “celebration of life” is intended for some time in the future.
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