John Raymond White passed away Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, at Royal Plaza Nursing Home.
He was born Nov. 30, 1924, to Ray J. and Mildred Bothwell White in Lewiston. He was the oldest of three children. John attended school in Lewiston, and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1942.
He was active in many organizations during his high school years. He was an Eagle Scout and served as a camp counselor and lifeguard at Boy Scout Camp Coles, Diamond Lake, Wash., in the summer of 1940, served as class of 1942 student body president, captain of the LHS basketball team that was narrowly defeated by Pocatello for the State Championship and selected to the All-State team in 1942. He also participated in American Legion and high school baseball.
John attended the University of Idaho on a basketball scholarship in the fall of 1942, and was the leading scorer on the freshman team. He also played on the varsity team that year. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and Phi Eta Sigma, the freshman scholastic honorary. He was also the winner of the Philo Sherman Bennett essay contest on the principles of free government in 1943.
He was called to active duty in the United States Navy Reserve in 1943, and attended the V-12 officers' training program at the University of Idaho Southern Branch (now Idaho State) in Pocatello for one year and then was ordered to the U.S. Navy Supply School at Harvard Business School where he was stationed for one year, and promoted to ensign.
John was then assigned to the USS Rendova CVE113 aircraft carrier located on the West Coast as a supply officer responsible for organizing the disbursing office on the ship. After commissioning the new ship, the carrier served in the Pacific Theater. Upon release from this duty in 1946, he returned to Harvard Business School and obtained a master's degree in business administration.
He returned to Lewiston in 1947, and joined his father in the real estate business founded by his father in 1921. Brother Robert B. White joined the firm in 1954 and they incorporated the firm, which became known as Ray J. White & Sons Inc. in 1959. John's son, Richard J. White, became affiliated with the firm in 1991, and is currently the owner, which is enjoying its 93rd year in business.
John married Marian Jean McCreedy in Boston in 1945. They later divorced. He married Janet Rae Frost in 1973 at Pullman. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
John was active in the development of numerous housing subdivisions and considered an expert on commercial and industrial real estate in leasing and sales for many years.
Community activities included serving as a board member on the North Idaho Children's Home for several years, and as president from 1960-1963. He was a member of the Board of Governors and assistant chairman for the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, Spokane Unit, from 1973-1980. John was a member of the Board of Directors, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center from 1987-1992, and served as board chairman in 1990. He was Potentate of Calam Temple Shriners in 1966, and reached a number of goals, including membership exceeding 1,000 for the first time, purchase of the calliope, sponsorship of the Shrine Circus on an annual basis once again, and many other activities that continue today.
In addition, he belonged to the following organizations: Lewiston Board of Realtors, 1981 Realtor of the Year, life member of Lewiston Lodge No. 896 Elks, life member of Nez Perce Lodge No. 10 AF&M, York Rite and Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Royal Order of Jesters, Phi Chi Men's Social Fraternity, member of the Episcopal Church, and longtime member of the Lewiston Golf and Country Club, and active in Sports Inc., Little League Baseball, both as a coach and board member.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Janet Taylor and brother Robert B. White.
John is survived by his wife, Janet, and his son, Dick (Julie).
A special thank you to Dr. Fisher, and wife Joy, St. Joe's hospital and Royal Plaza Nursing Home for the wonderful care given him.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Episcopal Church, Eighth Avenue and Eighth Street, and private burial services will follow at Normal Hill Cemetery. Malcolm's Brower-Wann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, and viewing is from noon until 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewis-Clark Animal Shelter, or the Episcopal Church.
He will be remembered as a gentleman, and a gentle man.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Tuesday, October 14, 2:00 PM
- Location
-
Episcopal Church of The Nativity
731 8th Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
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- The funeral service will conclude at the church.
Condolences
Dale Frost
Sorry to hear about John would like to have attended funeral. I new John for over 40 yrs and respected him as a professional.I know he will be missed as he was well known for his leader ship in the Lewiston community. My condolences to His wife and family.
Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:14 PM
C.D.Smith at Gift World, Inc. Lewiston, Idaho
I knew John for years and years. I was in Royal Plaza Rehab myself recovering from back surgery, so John and I had many, many pleasurable visits as our rooms were just across the hallway from each other. John, you were a real trooper, my friend....the best! MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE!
Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:14 PM
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