HENRY C WHITE

 

On Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:00 PM, the gates of heaven opened and the angels of God descended to Dallas, TX to carry Henry C. White to his final resting place. 

Henry, more affectionately known as Clem or Mex, was born August 25, 1941 in Baton Rouge, LA to the parentage of the late Theodore Parker White and Rosalie Nereaux White. He was the sixth of seven children. 

Henry was christened as an infant at Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish in Baton Rouge, LA. He later received his sacraments and served as an Altar Server at Immaculate Conception as a young child. Upon his relocation to Dallas, TX, he became a member of St. Anthony Catholic Parish where he faithfully served until his health declined. Following graduation from Southern University Lab (Baton Rouge, LA), Henry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1961 where he earned decorations, medals and badges. This venture began in El Centro, CA, taking him to Vietnam and back to Louisiana. Due to his love of swimming, it was only natural that he became a lifeguard while in the service. 

In 1969, Henry relocated to Dallas, TX where he began his career as one of the first African American Information Technology (IT) Engineering Specialists at IBM. He retired after 20 plus years of service. Henry enjoyed painting, drawing and photography. His favorite past time was spent in his garage. He converted the garage to both a dark room where he developed his own photographic film and prints and also used the garage as an IT Lab repairing computers for family and friends. Henry loved his family, church, sports... especially the Dallas Cowboys & Texas Rangers... and his bike! His love for riding motorcycles lead him on many Field Meets and adventures, visiting 48 states. Henry loved Honda Gold Wing bikes and proudly told the story that “in 1977 he bought both a brand new Honda car and a brand new Honda Gold Wing bike for a total of $4,000”! His bike riding lead him to homeless camps where he started his biking ministry introducing many homeless men and women to Christ. 

On October 25, 2018, Henry married his love, Joan. Together they enjoyed entertaining guests and taking bike rides to Field Meets. Reading scriptures became one of their treasured nightly routines. Henry’s life was especially blessed by Joan’s love, devotion and tireless care.

Henry is preceded in death by his sisters Leah and Jean, and brothers Ulysses, Marion, and Therman.

Henry leaves to mourn and treasure his precious memories: Wife, Joan of Dallas, TX; Daughter, Sarita of Tampa, FL [grandchild Charles (April) and 3 great-grandchildren]; Son, Dwayne (Karen) of Plano, TX [grandchildren Vanessa and Alicia]; Daughter, Ilona (Chris) of Mesquite, TX [grandchildren Briana (Deandre) and Whitney];  Daughter, Darice (Darius) of Dallas, TX [grandchildren Morgan, Darius II and Marlin];  Daughter, Marolyn of Mesa, AZ [grandchild Alexander (Anzio) and 5 great-grandchildren]; Son, Maron (Tendelayo) of Long Beach, CA [grandchildren Kera, Maron Jr., Deja, Mahalia, Elija and 4 great-grandchildren]; Son, Shawn of Dallas, TX [grandchildren: Jahmai, Shawn Jr., Mickeyla and Yasmine, and 10 great-grandchildren]; Daughter, Jacquelyn of Dallas, TX [grandchildren LeJai and Jackson]; Daughter, Ashley of DeSoto, TX [grandchild Kaiden]; and Brother, Fred (Hester) of Riverview, FL. 

Henry also leaves to cherish his memories a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, special friends and loved ones: Monica Boodram, Lincoln Gopeechan, Les Holden, Gwen Snell, Angie Wood, Steve and Shelly Benjamin, The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Clubs, Dallas, TX Chapter, DFW Motorcycle Community, American Legion Post 292 and American Legion Post 511.