Perrin White

Perrin Wynne White passed away on Tuesday, the 18th of March 2014. He was born to Vivien Wynne White and Hill P. White on the 13th of August 1928, at home on Elsbury Street, Houston, south of downtown. A lifelong resident of Houston, his only time away from Houston was as a student at the University of Texas and active duty in the United States Marine Corps, where he achieved the rank of Captain before being discharged. He was very proud of both his degree and his service to our nation. Mr. White spent over 60 years in the lumber, building, development, and real estate businesses which took him to New Orleans, Las Vegas, Anchorage and one of the joys of his life, Australia. He was a longtime member of the Greater Houston Home Builders Association, once being selected as Builder of the Year. Other organizations include Second Baptist Church, The River Oaks Country Club, and numerous bank boards.
His lifelong love of adventure began early when his mother, aunts and 2 cousins drove to the 1939 New York World's Fair. Later, in between his senior year at the university and entering law school he ventured with his lifelong friend and business partner of 50 years, Jimmy Hill, first by ship from the Port of Galveston to Venezuela, then by car westward across South America, to Chile where they drove southward following the Pacific Ocean, then across the Andes Mountains to Buenos Aires, Argentina finally putting the car on a ship in Montevideo, Uruguay bound for Galveston. They flew back so that Mr. White could start law school. Later he would trek through the wildernesses of Alaska, Australia, and the Milford Walk in New Zealand. He made it to the top of Ayers Rock despite torrential rain at one of the driest spots on Earth. He later climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa proudly displaying the "Hook'em Horns" sign to Deanne, who was patiently waiting below. He also scaled the Great Wall of China.
During his lifetime, Mr. White was a humble and modest man of many personal accomplishments such as long distant running, including 18 marathons: London, Paris, New York, 3 times, Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, New Orleans, Arizona, Houston, several times. He felt strongly that Houston had been so good to him and his family for so many years that he was to compelled to give back to the city he loved. While quietly contributing to many charities, he was a strong supporter of the Star of Hope Mission, serving on the board for many years, Second Baptist Church, Texas Heart Institute, and the International Bible Society.
For 30 years he shared his life with his loving wife, Deanne who was with him in the end. They moved several times finally building their dream home with a statue of Christ the Redeemer looking over them.
Mr. White was predeceased by his parents. He leaves behind his wife Deanne; his first born, Hill P. White, II, his wife Kathleen Taylor White and their son Hill Taylor White; his daughter Wynne White Routt and her two sons, Austin Harper Routt and Redmond Otis Routt; Mr. White's younger son Anderson B. White and his wife, Nancy R. White and their daughter Sara Elizabeth White; and his other daughter Waverly White Gage and her husband William A. Gage and three children: Sara Jane Gage, William Allen Gage and Hill Hudson Gage. Additionally he is survived by his step children Alison Leigh Thrash and her brother Scott True Thrash, and his wife Blair Wood Thrash and their two children, Anita M. Thrash and True W. Thrash.
In the end, Perrin W. White ran a good race, leaving the world a little better place.
Perrin W. White will be missed by many family members, loved ones, friends and former business associates. His family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to the fine people of the River Oaks Police Department, Houston Fire Department, EMS, the doctors and staff of the emergency room of St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. A special thanks to Dr. James Willerson for years as his friend, confidant and physician.
Friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 24th of March, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
A memorial service is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 25th of March, in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Dr. Ed Young, Pastor, is to officiate.
At a later date, the family is to gather for a private commital.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Second Baptist Church, Business Services Team, 6400 Woodway Dr., Houston, TX, 77057; Texas Heart Institute, Development Office, MC 3-117, PO Box 20345, Houston, TX, 77225; Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society), 1820 Jet Stream Dr., Colorado Springs, CO, 80921; or to the charity of one's choice.