Capt. John White Obituary (1946 - 2023)

Capt. John R White Capt. John White of Gig Harbor, WA passed away from this life the evening of August 8, 2023 at the age of 77. He was surrounded by his wife and daughter. A graduate of the University of Arizona, John, "JR," was a Captain of the United States Air Force for twenty years where he flew C-9 AeroVac (Aeromedical evacuation), C-12, C-141 cargo as well as King Air transport in Korea. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour and Overseas Long Tour Ribbons as well as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. After retiring from the Air Force, he joined America West Airlines as a Captain where he continued to travel and fly across the country for another twenty years. He was a dedicated husband and fiercely loved his wife Bella who often referred to him as her hero. Nothing brought him more joy than her happiness and safety. He was a dedicated father, taking his kids everywhere with him, and a loving grandpa who always put his family first. In his early years, he played drums for the band The Grodes - one of his favorite past-times was playing his drumsticks on a coffee table or tapping on his legs to the music. He was an avid fan of car racing, where he traveled the country to be a spectator of formula one racing. He could eat anyone under the table and not seem to gain a pound - we would often sing, "Dad is great, give him some chocolate cake!" He will be remembered for his goofy sense of humor, dad jokes, his skills for fixing anything and his passion for cars, formula one racing, ice cream, music and bonsai gardening. He is survived by his wife Bella, daughter Candy Carson, grandchildren Nicholas and Callum, brother Gary, cousin Linda along with numerous cousins. He is preceded by his parents Thelma and Ralph, daughter Juvy, Aunt LuLu and numerous aunts. Services, arranged by Haven of Rest, will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. at the Tahoma National Cemetery 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042