October 2, 1925 ~ April 8, 2019
Opal Lois Oathout White was born on October 2, 1925 on the home place in Grant County Oklahoma. She was the 7th of 8 children born to Minnie and JL Oathout. She and her younger sister Eva were “PaPa’s Little Girls.” She passed away on April 8, 2019 at the Botkin Care & Rehab Center in Wellington, KS. She was 93 years, 6 months and 6 days old.
During her senior year of high school, Opal married her high school sweetheart Harold White on March 2, 1943. Three days later he left for the Army. After graduation from Caldwell High School in 1943 and while Harold was away, Opal was a school teacher at New Hope, Fairview District 22 and Bailey Schools. After that, she became a bookkeeper at the Kircher-Beham Ford Garage and later at Scribner’s 5&10. She also was a telephone operator for a brief period.
When Harold returned from World War II, they began their family. To this union came 4 children, Kenton Eugene, then exactly 1-year later came Byron Lee, followed by Rodney Clark and Terre Lynne.
In 1966, her dream job came along and she became the Deputy City Clerk under Carolyn Glover. In 1969, she became the City Clerk and held that position for 19 years. She retired in 1988. She always said that she had to be City Clerk to keep her eyes on her cousin and Police Chief, Max Scribner. The city commissioners needed to fill the term of Mayor and it was a “no brainer” to them that Opal should be appointed. So in 1993, she became the first woman Mayor of Caldwell. She then went on and was elected to that office until 1998. She was one proud lady of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Main Street Improvement Project in 1994.
Opal and Harold and her best friend Betty Tidwell traveled all around the country for a lot of music and sporting events. Being a high school cheerleader, Opal was very vocal at these events. Sometimes when it was very quiet, she was loud enough for the referee’s or umpires to hear. Anyone around her at these events could often hear her say “For Pity Sake’s” or “Well Good Honk!”
Opal Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her 3 brothers and 3 sisters, husband Harold White, son Kent White and great-granddaughter Addison McDorman.
Opal Lois is survived by her sons Byron (Karen) White of Oxford, KS., Rod (Sue) White of Caldwell; daughter Terre (Denny) McDorman of Caldwell; daughter-in-law Rita White of Caldwell. She was blessed with 13 grandchildren; Laura (Nate) Lund of Wichita, KS., Shannon (Dennis) Mackey of Goddard, KS., Cory (Ami) White of Baxter Springs, KS., Stacy (Aaron) Roop of Caldwell, KS., Jason (Deanna) White of Derby, KS., Casie (Cliff) Risley of Caldwell, KS., Janaye (Mick) Shaffer of Shawnee, KS., Darren (Keira) McDorman of Caldwell, KS., Sean-Michael (Katie) White of Wichita, KS., Dana (Ryan) Krause of Lee’s Summit, MO., Cody (Kristin) White of Wellington, KS., Danny (Staci) McDorman of Kingman, KS. and John (Kari) White of Wichita, KS.; and 36 great-grandchildren; Jared, Mackenzie & Mallory Lund; Lanie (Jaden) Wood, Bailey and Kylie Thurman, Logan Mackey; Hanna, Trey & Hallee White; Taylor (Mary) Roop, Breck and Keeley Roop; Kambree, Kenton and Kreslee White; Jalen, Jackson and Ella Risley; Aidan, Abram and Avery Shaffer; Andrew Lowe and Ashlee McDorman; Lucy and Maggie White; Rylee and Dylan Krause; Karsyn, Camden and Chandler White; Gracie, Kelby and Kinslie McDorman; Brixley White.
Opal Lois is also survived by her sister Eva Neal and many nieces, nephews, cousins and too many “adopted” kids that always called her “Grannie OO.”
Visitation with family present will be held 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Schaeffer Mortuary.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2019 at the Central Christian Church, Caldwell, Kansas.
Memorials may be given in memory of Opal to the Central Christian Church or to the City of Caldwell for a bridge at the Caldwell City Park and may be left in care of the mortuary.
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Condolences
Saddens me to know the
Norma Chandler - 04/10/2019
Saddens me to know the passing of my Aunt Opal. She could be feisty and ornery, that's what made her so much fun! Yet, she was caring, thoughtful and loving. Each of my three son,s received their first pair of tiny "real" Levi jeans as a new baby gift from Aunt Opal. I still have them packed among special baby clothes.
Breaks my heart that I am not able to be with you to celebrate her life. I will celebrate her in my heart. As we mourn our loss; I believe Heaven is having a grand celebration!
Love and Peace to you all,
Norma & Harvey
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Terre and Family...
Whitey Lawrence - 04/10/2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, and saddened by the news of Opal Lois passing. May the love of family, friends, and wonderful memories comfort you while remembering your wonderful mother, our heartfelt condolances.
Peace be with you !
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Terre and Family
Renea Ryan (Papen) - 04/11/2019
Dearest Terre and Family:
So sorry to learn of Opal Lois passing on. She was truly a beautiful loving lady. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs of comfort to you all. Please find comfort in the wonderful family memories you shared together. Love you, my dear friend.
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To Opal's family
Jery & Cathy Newland - 04/11/2019
Our thoughts are with you. We have fond memories of Opal and her fine family.
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Terre and Family
Mandy Walker (B... - 04/12/2019
I was so sad to hear about "Grannie OO". Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Sending lots of love and hugs from Georgia.
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Byron, Rod, and Terre
MarySue Ziba - 04/12/2019
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, your mom was a very special lady.
love, MarySue
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Dear Family of Opal,
Cathy Oswald - 04/13/2019
I learned of Opal’s passing from Barbara Bishop who keeps the memory of the 752nd Tank Battalion, WW2, alive. Am so sorry to learn of Opal’s passing, and so inspired to read her obituary, what s great life!
My dad served with Opal’s husband Harold White in the 752nd under General Patton. In the boredom of N.Africa, as my dad explained, Harold came up with the idea to learn the poem Casey at the Bat. My dad took to and for the rest of his life recited it at family gatherings etc, as almost a comedy routine. His contempt AND us kids loved it. Dad Jerry Quinn, like Harold, is gone, but 1 son continues the tradition Harold started, w/Casey at the Bat. I bet Opal would have gotten a kick out of that...1 person’s, 1 generations influence. God Bless!
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