John Liston Loyd White died April 8, 2015 at 10:25 a.m. with his loving wife by his side at Medicalodge in Columbus.
He had been in failing health for several years and a resident of Medicalodge about two years. He was the son of John William and Elizabeth Leonel (Cunningham) White-Thomas. He was born on April 19, 1928 at their rural home by Shoal Creek in Neosho, MO. They later moved to rural Granby where they lived until John turned five.
At that time, the family moved to his grandparents’ farm north of Crestline. The family moved several times during his younger life but finally settled in Columbus in the early 1940’s. He graduated from CCCHS with the class of 1947 and attended Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg for three semesters obtaining his teacher’s certificate in industrial arts. He then joined his father in business at Superior Welding Shop later to be called White’s Welding in Columbus. In 1948 he met the love of his life, the former Betty Jo Zimmerman. They were married on July 30, 1950 and were three and half months short of celebrating their 65th anniversary.
At the end of November 1951, John joined the US Navy during the Korean War. After finishing basic training he was assigned to the metal-smith school to follow in his trade and experience in welding and repairs. After that he was assigned to the USS Philippine Sea CVA-47 from March 1952 to March 1955, being deployed twice for nine months each in the Korean Theater. After that he was transferred to the USS Norton Sound, the only guided missile ship on the West Coast at that time. He finished his four years of service aboard that ship stationed at Port Hueneme, CA leaving active duty on November 21, 1955. He continued many more years in the Naval Reserves. He received a Certificate of Recognition from Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, and a special Citation of Honor from the President of South Korea for time served in defense of their country, plus numerous other ribbons and honors for his service. For many years he was co-owner in the welding business and served many of the area farmers. He began working for the US Post Office in Columbus in 1968, retiring from there on December 31, 1988 with 20 years of service. John accepted Christ as his Savior on December 25, 1988 at Center Christian Church. He was honored by his dear friend, Galen King, who gave him the Word and “Roman’s Road” to Salvation, to also be his Pastor through baptism. He later transferred his membership to the First Christian Church in Columbus. John held a lifetime membership in the American Legion and VFW in Columbus. He was a former member of the Columbus Jaycees and Columbus Country Club. He was the starting member of the Columbus Chapter of Kansas Old-time Fiddlers and Pickers Society and played his harmonica at many other social and church functions throughout the area.
He is survived by his wife, son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Melody White and daughter-in-law Linda White all of Columbus; four grandchildren Trenton and Cassie White, Tucson, AZ; John R. “Rusty” and Kristin White, Portland, OR; Trisha and Derek Holmes, Bloomington, IL, and Tracy and Tal Hudson, Haughton, LA; and three great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Blake Holmes and Kalia White. John is survived by one sister, Myrtle Lee Stone, Seal Beach, CA; one brother, Richard and Alice White of Columbus, one sister-in-law, Myrna White, Aurora, MO, and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents, a loving step-mother, Minnie White, a step-father Clayton Thomas, a precious son, John Edd; and his youngest brother Dr. Theodore W. White.
A service for Mr. White was held Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the First Christian Church, Columbus, with Pastor Galen King conducting the service. The American Legion Post #147, Veterans Funeral Detail provided military honors following the service. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762.
Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.
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