David Leroy White

David Leroy White - beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025, at the age of 64, following a courageous battle with heart failure.
Born on October 25, 1960, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Leroy and Delores White, David was the youngest of four siblings. The older siblings always teased that he got special treatment because he was the baby of the family, and he gladly accepted any advantage that was offered. The advantage was usually a hot breakfast cooked by their mom, or a donut with chocolate milk. The older siblings had to make breakfast on their own. David was a free spirit from the start. The kind of kid who'd rather make his own path than follow someone else's. At about five years old, armed with nothing more than a plastic toy guitar, he taught himself to play music. It wasn't long before that little spark turned into full-blown talent, and by high school, he had earned the unofficial title of Guitar Rock Star of Noble High.
In March of 1978, during his senior year, David met the love of his life - a cute 15-year-old named Debbie Lynn Hill. He was smitten from the start and bought her a ring before graduation. When her family suddenly decided to move in May, David drove straight to her house, where she was hanging laundry on the clothesline. He walked up behind her and asked, "You ready to go?" She was, and off they went to start their life together. It was the beginning of a 46-year love story filled with family, laughter, hard work, and the kind of devotion that stands the test of time.
After graduating from Noble High, David attended OSU Institute of Technology, where he studied welding. His career began at Rock Island Railroad and took him across industries from oil fields and construction sites to roles with AGS Gaming and, finally, York International, where he finished his working years as a welder and forklift operator.
Throughout his life, he was passionate about music. He played several instruments but guitar was his primary love. He had an exceptional ear for understanding phrasing and the discipline to practice until he captured all of the nuances that made music special. He liked music in many genres but he always gravitated back to Rock'n Roll and Heavy Metal. He was extraordinary when playing the music he loved. He played not for accolades or money but purely for the love of music.
When he wasn't making music, David enjoyed sports, the occasional casino trip, fishing, concerts, and his morning ritual of The Price Is Right on his treasured 85-inch television (that he insisted he had to have). He loved OU football and any game featuring Tom Brady though he might've shouted at the TV a time or two when things didn't go as planned.
Above all, David's greatest pride and joy was his family. He adored his two sons and beamed with pride over the lives they built. He taught them chess when they were little, cheered them through countless baseball games, and loved seeing their success on and off the field. His granddaughters, Rae-Lynn and Honey Grace, were his heart and their photos had a permanent spot in his wallet and his stories. He cherished his daughter-in-law, loved his siblings and in-laws deeply, and held a special place for his nieces, nephews, and cousins.
David's memory lives on through his wife, Debbie White; his children, Danny White and Darrel White (and wife, Lindsey); his granddaughters, Rae-Lynn and Honey Grace; his sisters, Teri Reed (and Bobby) and Donna Bosworth (and Collis); his brother, Calvin White; his sisters-in-law, Neta Lewis and Janna Boyd (and Chris); his brother-in-law, Eddy Hill; his aunt and uncle, Barbara and Jerry Little Axe; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved him dearly, including his best concert-buddies which were his cousin, Bobby White, and friend, Kevin Shaw.
He was a member of both Pink Baptist Church and Thunderbird Baptist Church and was baptized in 2016 - a decision that brought him great peace and joy. David has now joined his parents in heaven, where there's surely a guitar waiting, perfectly tuned and ready to play.
His heart may have finally rested, but his song lives on - He is a Simple Man and a Free Bird.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 14th at the Little Jim Family Cemetery in Little Axe with Reverend Keith Ward, Taproot Church, Shawnee, OK officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Please park cars in nearby field parking lots due to limited parking space at the gravesite.
Pallbearers will be David Johnson Jr., Joseph Hill, Michael Johnson, James Hill, Harley Boyd, Levi Lewis.
Pot Luck luncheon will be held at Thunderbird Chapel located at 11395 E. Highway 9 in Norman at approximately 1:00 p.m.