February 26, 1924 ~ September 15, 2013
Harold Eugene White was born to William and Jenny (Hill) White on February 26, 1924 in Yale, Oklahoma. Harold passed away in Wellington, KS., on September 15, 2013, at the age of 89.
After losing their father when Harold was 3 years old, his brother Floyd, sister Myrtle and mother lived on the Hill homestead in Kingfisher, OK for several years. The family moved to McPherson, KS where Harold attended school there until he was a sophomore before moving to Caldwell. He graduated from Caldwell High School with the class of 1942.
Harold fell in love with his high school sweetheart Opal Lois Oathout and they were united in marriage on March 2, 1942 during Opal’s senior year before Harold left for the Army. Harold served with the 752nd Tank Battalion during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star while serving in Italy at an impressive ceremony at II Corps Headquarters. He was a very proud Veteran and attended many Veterans’ Day programs at the high school. He was a past commander of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Harold returned to Caldwell and he and Opal welcomed to their family 4 children; Kenton Eugene, Byron Lee, Rodney Clark and Terre Lynne.
Harold took his grandchildren to the cemetery to place around 360 flags on the Veteran’s graves on Memorial Day for several years. Opal’s brother Charlie was one of those graves in which were decorated. Another memorable moment was in November 2008 when Byron help arrange for him to go on the Honor Flight to the WW2 Memorial in Washington DC. This is something that meant the world to Harold.
Harold was very active with the youth in Caldwell, coaching many different sports along the way. He was very instrumental in the formation of the Caldwell Recreation Commission in addition to coaching baseball and softball for over 20 years. Then later in life he enjoyed announcing for the games. Harold also worked very diligently to bring the Tank to the City Park – again, he was a very proud Veteran. Harold worked several different jobs while raising his family but finally ended up at the Post Office putting in 34 years. He gradually worked his way up the ladder to Post Master which he held for many years. Although most of the positions he held were nonpaid, he felt that he benefited more from those associations than any effort he ever expended.
Everyone who knew Harold knows how much he loved the Bluejays almost as much as telling stories. One of the interesting facts he told was how when he was in high school, the Bluejays weren’t blue… the uniforms were green. Harold was also a member of the Christian Church Choir for many years, although he couldn’t carry a note but at least occupied a vacant seat.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, step father Frank Camerer, brother Floyd White, sister Myrtle Juhlin, son Kent White and great-granddaughter Addison McDorman.
Harold is survived by his loving wife of 70 ½ years Opal Lois, sons Byron White and wife Karen of Oxford, KS., Rodney White and wife Sue of Caldwell; daughter Terre McDorman and husband Denny of Caldwell; daughter-in-law Rita White of Caldwell; 13 grandchildren – Jason White and wife Deanna of Derby, KS., Janaye Shaffer and husband Mick of Shawnee, KS., John White and Kari Benard of Bel Aire, KS., Shannon Mackey and husband Dennis of Goddard, KS. , Stacy Roop and husband Aaron of Caldwell, Sean-Michael and wife Katie of Wichita, KS., Laura Lund and husband Nate of Wichita, KS., Cory White and wife Ami of Baxter Springs, KS., Casie Risley and husband Cliff of Caldwell, Cody White and wife Kristin of Wellington, KS., Darren McDorman and wife Keira of Caldwell, Dana Krause and husband Ryan of Lee’s Summit, MO. and Danny McDorman and wife Staci of Kingman, KS; 33 great-grandchildren, Kambree, Kenton and Kreslee White of Derby, Aidan, Abram and Avery Shaffer of Shawnee, Brixley White of Bel Aire, Lanie, Bailey and Kylie Thurman and Logan Mackey of Goddard, Taylor, Breck and Keeley Roop of Caldwell, Lucy White of Wichita, Hanna, Trey and Hallee White of Baxter Springs, Jalen, Jackson and Ella Risley of Caldwell, Karsyn and Camden White of Wellington, Jared, Mackenzie and Mallory Lund of Wichita, Andrew Lowe and Ashlee McDorman of Caldwell, Rylee and Dylan Krause of Lee’s Summit, Gracie, Kelby and Kinslie McDorman of Kingman; sister-in-law Eva Neal of Caldwell; and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at the Central Christian Church in Caldwell.
Memorials may be given in Harold's name to the Central Christian Church or to the Caldwell Recreation Commision.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Trish Volk-Wesemann
Family and Friends - 09/16/2013
My deepest sympathies to the family during this loss. What a blessing to have had him all these many years.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Chet May
Family and Friends - 09/17/2013
Saying good bye to the greatest Caldwell Bluejay fan of all time.
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Bob and Jackie Foster
Family and Friends - 09/17/2013
He was a great friend and neighbor.
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Jim Barrett
Family and Friends - 09/18/2013
To the White Family:
Harold was larger than life and influenced so many. First off he raised a wonderful family who have had such an impact on Caldwell and surrounding areas. He was a patient coach--for me he helped teach me how to play baseball and to shoot a basketball with the right technique, something I passed on to my kids. He was a proud American and Bluejay backer. You should be proud of all he did and represented.
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Terri Thomas Hall
Family and Friends - 09/18/2013
Dear Opal and Family,
Our families share so much, it is hard to know how to convey my feelings and love for you all. As I have thought about it, one memory I have of Harold is a bet I made with himnwhen I was probably a high school senior. I bet him $10.00 I would not be married within ten years. I lost the bet and presented Harold with $10.00 worth of pennies at my wedding. Forty two years later, I still have that jar of pennies.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Terri and Jim Hall
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Cindy Thomas
Family and Friends - 09/19/2013
To the beloved members of the White family, my second home when I was growing up. I used to walk right into Harold and Opal's house as if it were my own and was always welcomed as if I was one of their kids!So many memories I have of your family, of Harold's war stories, of Grandma Camerer's love of okra, of Terre teaching me how to fry chicken... My love and prayers to all of you, one terrific family! Cindy
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