Dr. Alvin G. White

WHITE Dr. Alvin G. White, well-known educator, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2016. A native of Jacksonville, he entered St. Pius Catholic School at four years old and attended local public schools, graduating from Stanton Sr. High School, where he became a star baseball athlete leading Stanton to two city championships. He took great pride in being a member of the drama and Latin clubs while in high school. He attended Florida A&M University on an athletic and music scholarship. He continued his athletic ability as one of FAMU's leading pitchers, as the baseball team won conference championships three consecutive years. He was also inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame and the Gallery of Distinction for Education. Dr. White earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Florida A & M University. He also attended Columbia University where the Master of Arts degree was conferred and Nova Southeastern University where he earned a Doctorate of Education. He began his teaching and coaching career in Okeechobee, Florida, where he taught for two years before being drafted into the United States Navy. While serving in the Navy as a Personnel Man and a Navy Seal, Dr. White also coached and played basketball and baseball for the Sixth Fleet. As one of Duval County's most outstanding educators, he started his professional career as a sixth grade elementary teacher and an assistant football and baseball coach at Matthew W. Gilbert Junior-Senior High School. He later became the basketball coach at A.L. Lewis Elementary School. When Eugene J. Butler Junior-Senior High School was opened, Dr. White was named Athletic Director and head football coach. When he was named Assistant Principal of Butler, the teachers integrated and he was named the first Vice Principal of a predominately white high school, Robert E. Lee. After one year at Robert E. Lee, he was promoted to principal of Eugene J. Butler Junior-Senior High School. After much racial unrest, Dr. White was appointed principal of Jean Ribault Senior High School where he was instrumental in leading Ribault to be ranked fifth academically among all Duval County high schools. Dr. White was noted for his no nonsense disciplinary policies as well as his compassion for students. After four years at Ribault, he became one of the first black area superintendents in the history of Duval County. He served as Area Superintendent for 13 years before becoming Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and retired in 1999 as the Chief Operating Officer for Duval County Public Schools. After retirement from DCPS, he served as an adjunct professor at FAMU and Nova Southeastern University. He also served as the Director of the School of Education at Jacksonville University. Dr. White became a nationally recognized chair and State Specialist with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on School Improvement. Dr. White was merited with several prestigious awards and commendations both locally and nationally. Other affiliations include a communicant of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Mission Board of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Phi Epsilon Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa, NAACP - Vice Chairman of Education Committee, Johnson Branch YMCA - Board of Directors, former Senior Warden (16 years of dedicated service), Lay Reader, Chalice Bearer and an Acolyte. Dr. White was predeceased by his parents, George Washington White and Mrs. Victoria Eva White and his sister, Mrs. Guelda Joyce White Walker. Survivors include a devoted and loving wife of 39 years, Mrs. Brenda Lundy White; son, Marcel Kevin White; daughter, Ms. Altoria Elizabeth White; brothers, Dr. Julian E. White (Dennine) and Ernest E. White (Pearl); grandchild, Ms. Danielle White-Britt; great-grandchild, Isiah Britt; a devoted friend, Charles Flowers; a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, co-workers and friends. A Resurrection Mass celebrating the life of Dr. Alvin G. White will be held 10:30AM, THURSDAY, May 5, 2016 at Saint John's Cathedral, The Right Reverend Samuel Johnson Howard, Bishop, The Reverend Canon Eddie Ellsworth Jones, Jr., Vicar Retired, Celebrant. Dr. White will rest in Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 2803 Edgewood Avenue, West, Rev. Clifford Johnson, Pastor for visitation on Wednesday from 6PM until 8PM (where the family will receive friends). Fraternity Rites will begin at 5PM. Interment will be in Jacksonville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Society, 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 or St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church-Dr. Alvin G. White Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 12252, Jacksonville, FL 32209.