Thomas Livingston White Jr.

1938 - 2025

Thomas Livingston White, Jr., 87, of Manteo, North Carolina, died on November 24, 2025, at his home on Roanoke Island. Tom was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and was raised in Lumberton, North Carolina. He was a 1956 graduate of Lumberton High School.

Tom received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1960. While at Carolina he was in the Naval ROTC program, played in the band, and was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity. After college, Tom was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy, where he initially served on a destroyer and later on a submarine during his active duty. He was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Submarine School, where he later served as the school's Assistant Director of the Basic Officers Department before leaving active service.

Tom was released from active service with the Navy in 1967 and transferred to the Naval Reserve when he entered law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1970. Tom practiced law in Manteo for forty-two years, initially with his uncle Martin Kellogg and others at the law firm later known as Kellogg, White, Evans & Gray. He later practiced law with the law firm of Hornthal, Riley, Ellis & Maland until he retired in 2012. In 1989, Tom retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Captain.

Tom was an active Methodist and longtime member and Sunday school teacher at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Manteo. He was also an outstanding community leader. Tom was a longtime member and past President of the Manteo Rotary Club. He served as Chair and a member of the Board of Directors of the Dare County Airport Authority. Tom also served on the Boards of Directors of the Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast, the Sea & Sounds Arts Council (now Dare Arts), and the Friends of the Outer Banks History Center. He also served on the Board of Visitors of the UNC Institute for the Environment. In 1980, Tom served as President of the First Judicial District Bar.

Tom also served in several leadership positions with the Roanoke Island Historical Association, which produces "The Lost Colony" outdoor symphonic drama. He served on its Board of Directors for twenty years, including positions of General Counsel, Vice Chair, and Chair and Producer. Tom received the Association's Morrison Award in 2002.

The Town of Nags Head recognized Tom in 2016 with the Lightkeeper Award and the Nags Header Award, which recognized his many contributions to the town, including his service as Town Attorney for three decades. Tom served as the first Town Attorney for the Town of Southern Shores and continued in that position for twenty-two years. He also served as attorney for the Dare County Board of Education for twenty-seven years.

Tom was very conscientious and always made himself available to help someone in need. He was a positive influence on his many friends, colleagues, co-workers, clients, and shipmates.

Mr. White was predeceased by his parents, Thomas Livingston White, Sr. and Almeta Kellogg White of Manteo, and brother Martin Kellogg White of Nags Head. He is survived by his first cousin Elizabeth Henry Kellogg of Manteo and her sons, Tom, Gordon, and Ward Blanchard, and his second Cousin Gordon Kellogg (Anne) of New Bern, North Carolina.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 300 Ananias Dare St., Manteo, NC. Pastor Marc O'Neal will officiate. The family will receive friends at 108 Budleigh, located at 108 Budleigh St, Manteo, NC, immediately following the service. Interment will follow at Roanoke Island Memorial Gardens.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Martin Kellogg Memorial Fund of the Outer Banks Community Foundation, PO Box 2299, Manteo, NC 27954.

Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.