John White

Our beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend John Stephen White died March 26, 2011, at his daughter Barbaras home. Steve was born April 5, 1923, to James LeRoy and Vera Mann White. He grew up on the family farm in south Farmington that was identified for many years with a large yellow and black sign that read Lakepoint Fruit and Dairy Farm, John S. White and Son. Dad spent most of his life in Farmington and was proud of his pioneer heritage. He graduated from Davis High School in 1941. He attended the University of Utah until he entered the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1943. He was assigned to Truax Field in Madison, Wis., until 1946 as a radio repair instructor. Following the war he returned to the U. and obtained bachelors and masters degrees in education. He married Jean Bickmore May 31, 1951. They had two children, Barbara (Lyle) Gingery and John S. (Barbara) Jr., and three grandchildren, Beth and Tess Gingery and Karl Richard White. Following graduation at the U. Steve taught two years at the old Kaysville Elementary. Then he and Jean moved to New York City where he pursued doctoral studies at Columbia University and taught at a private school. They returned to Farmington in 1955, and Steve began his career with the Davis School District. He was the first principal of Sunset Elementary. Two years later he was assigned to the central office as an elementary supervisor, moving up to secondary supervisor and then director of curriculum. He finished his career as an associate superintendent, touching the lives of countless students and teachers. Steve was active in community affairs, serving many years on the board of FAPID, the Farmington City Council and was chairman of the Davis County Planning Commission for over 10 years. He was secretary of the Davis Creek Irrigation Co. for many years. He retired in 1987 and spent his later years painting, playing jazz piano, traveling and tending to the plantation on his 1952 Ford tractor. Steve and Jean loved to travel and entertain. Earlier in his career he received a Hayes-Fulbright scholarship to study and travel in India. Some years later he returned to India with Jean. They also toured China, Russia, Europe and the U.S. They loved Utah history and enjoyed Sunday drives with a picnic. The family would like to thank Life Care of Bountiful and Charlee and Sherry from Love Hospice for their tender care of our father. Steve is survived by his children and grandchildren, sisters Whit Samways, Tensey Olsen and Olive Lenox. He was preceded in death by his wife, whom he cared for through her long illness. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at the Farmington City Cemetery, 200 East 500 South. Friends and family may call Tuesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, and Wednesday 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. prior to services. A memorial celebration will be held in June; details will be announced later. Pops, we love you so much. Well miss your sly humor, big smile and warm heart. Love ya,Pops!