Henry Ira White

Henry Ira White, 93, of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, was born December 31, 1931, in Fort Gibson to Ira Hugh William "Bill" and Ethel (Watkins) White and passed away Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in Fort Gibson with his family by his bedside.

Henry was a steadfast and dedicated man, born and raised on the scenic 7 Mile Road in Fort Gibson, where he spent his entire life. A proud graduate of Fort Gibson High School, he was drafted into the U.S. Army on November 3, 1952, and faithfully served his country during the Korean War until his honorable discharge on August 20, 1954, achieving the rank of Sergeant. During this time, he met and married the love of his life, Patsy Hamlin, a union that endured for 70 cherished years.

After completing his military service, Henry became a skilled butcher, owning and operating White's Slaughterhouse for 29 successful years until his retirement in 1983. A devoted church member, he actively contributed to both Friendship Baptist Church in Porum Landing and Crescent Valley Baptist Church. He was deeply involved with the Fort Gibson American Legion Post 20, was a lifetime member of the FFA, and served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Porum Landing for an impressive 27 years, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service to his community.

A devoted "squirrel whisperer," Henry was a cheerful and adventurous spirit who found immense joy in fishing and sharing his catches with everyone around him. His passion for camping took him to all of the lower 48 states, where he cherished the beauty of nature while enjoying long conversations with family and friends. With an open heart, he never met a stranger and formed numerous lifelong friendships. Though he embraced the simple pleasures of life, his deep love for his family and unwavering faith defined him and left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Henry is lovingly survived by his wife, Patsy White of the home; daughter, Carla Holuby and husband Ronnie of Fort Gibson, OK; grandsons, Scott Holuby of San Antonio, TX, Erik Holuby of Fort Gibson, OK, and Brett Holuby and wife Karelis of Cypress, TX; great-grandchildren, Angelica Lamb of Cypress, TX, Brighten Holuby of Bastrop, TX, and Grace Holuby of Cypress, TX; stepdaughter, Patricia Cline of Davenport, FL; grandsons, Steven and wife Sarah Cline of Davenport, FL, Brent Cline of Davenport, FL, and James and wife Jennifer of Black Diamond, WA; great-grandchildren, Jameson and Jenson Cline of Black Diamond, WA; brother and sister-in-law, David and Joyce White of Fort Gibson, OK; sister, Geraldine Allen of Allen, TX; special friends, Terri and Janice King; special caregiver, Stacy Cutbirth; as well as extended family and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Ethel (Watkins) White; his son, Allyn White; his brother, Hugh White; and his sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Kenneth Lowrey.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Administration in Muskogee, Cherokee Nation Home Health, Hospice of the Cherokees, Heart for Seniors, especially Francis and Ashley, and his private caregivers Letitia, Damasha, Emily, Holly, and Stacy.

Viewing will be held from 12PM to 7PM on Friday, December 5, 2025, with the family receiving friends from 5PM to 7PM at Clifford D. Garrett Family Funeral Home in Fort Gibson.

A celebration of Henry's life will be held at 10AM on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Crescent Valley Baptist Church with Reverend Billy Parker officiating. Committal prayers and interment will follow at Holland Cemetery in Tahlequah with Scott Holuby, Erik Holuby, Brett Holuby, Larry White, Billy Ray White, and Ed Parisotto serving as casket bearers. Ronnie Holuby, Brad White, Tim Allen, the Porum

Landing Old Men's Club, and the Eufaula Corp Project Office Staff/Rangers will serve as honorary casket bearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Henry's name to his brother's ministry, Heart of God Missions, PO Box 1356, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

The family of Henry Ira White has entrusted his care, service, and burial to Clifford D. Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson.

Online condolences may be left for the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com.