Obituary for Kennith White

Kennith Allen White of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Tuesday evening, April 29, 2014, in the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home at the age of 83 years.

Kennith Allen White was born on July 20, 1930, in Eldorado, Oklahoma, to Leonard Allen and Helen Agnes (Owen) White. He grew up in Eldorado and graduated from Eldorado High School in 1948. While in high school, he was very active in the FFA program and served as president of the chapter his senior year. Following his education he worked as a mechanic in service stations and farmed. He married Patricia Janette Gilliam on April 29, 1951, in Quanah, Texas, and they settled in Eldorado. He entered the United States Army in 1953 and served during the Korean Conflict in Korea and Japan. Following his discharge they moved to Dallas, Texas, for a short time before moving to Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he worked as an auto mechanic for Park Street Garage. In 1955 he began working as an airplane mechanic at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, Oklahoma. In 1966 they moved to Prague, Oklahoma, to make their home before moving to Blackwell in 1974 where he helped establish Oklahoma Investment Castings Corporation. They returned to Prague in 1981 and he retired from Tinker Air Force Base in 1985. In 2009 they returned to Blackwell to make their home. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He enjoyed farming, buying and trading cars, and raising and showing alpacas. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family and going on family vacations.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Jane White of Blackwell; a son, Russell White and wife Sherri of Prague; two daughters, Danette Marrs and husband Scott of Katy, Texas, and Danna Johnson of Blackwell; five grandchildren, Chad McCleary of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Jerord Johnson and wife Jenny of Blackwell, Jana Johns and husband Derry of Braman, Josh White and wife Julie of Prague, and Jeremy White of Prague; and ten great grandchildren, Teiyah Patterson, Kadyn McCleary, Bryce McCleary, Myla McCleary, Rocky Wood, Jake Johnson, Levi Johnson, Kenzi Johns, Kimber Johns and Kierra White.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Franklin, Leonard and Jay White; and a sister, Alice Van Deren.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 2nd in the First Baptist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Randy Ratliff of First Baptist Church and Rev. Ronnie White of Enos Baptist Church officiating. Burial will take place Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in the Garden Grove Cemetery in Prague, Oklahoma, with Rev. Ronnie White and Rev. Charlie Clem of Garden Grove Baptist Church officiating. Military rites will be performed by the United States Army. There will be family visitation immediately following the graveside service at the Garden Grove Baptist Church.

Casketbearers will be Bob White, Bill White, Larry White, Gary White, Ronnie White and Terry White, Honorary casketbearers will be Jimmy Lynn Van Deren, Floyd Riggle and Lawrence Terry.

A memorial has been established in his honor with Hospice of North Central Oklahoma in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.