Death of John White, former missionary in Philippines
Global Ministries received the following notice on the death of John White, former missionary to Philippines, from his home church in Jacksonville, Florida
Global Ministries received the following notice on the death of John White, former missionary to Philippines, from his home church in Jacksonville, Florida
John Fulton White died peacefully at home on November 20, 2006. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathryn, three children, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Born on April 10, 1923 in Bethany, West Virginia, he later attended Bethany College in his hometown until his education was interrupted by World War II. He served honorably as a Staff Sergeant with the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater, and following his discharge from the service, he finished his undergraduate education at Youngstown (OH) University, where he received his B.A. degree. He married his wife, Kathryn in 1948 and in 1950, the couple attended Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY, where he was awarded the Masters of Divinity degree.
He was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in his home church, Bethany Memorial, in 1952, and in 1954, the Whites went to the Philippines as missionaries under the auspices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where they served for fourteen years. During their tenure as missionaries, Rev. White was instrumental in the lives of young men and women through his work as a teacher of Theology and Biblical Studies at area colleges; he established the Gastinbide Dormitory for the male students; he served as the Protestant Chaplain for the Philippine Military Academy; and was the Philippines Representative for Church World Service.
He preached and taught throughout Southeast Asia, touching the lives of numerous people from Japan and Australia. Returning to the United States in 1968, Rev. White served churches in Iowa and Ohio before moving to Naples, FL in 1980 where he and his wife served as co-pastors for First Christian Church, Naples.
After retirement, Rev. White volunteered as a Hospice Chaplin in Orlando, FL and then as Interim Pastor for congregations throughout Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. He will be greatly missed by his family and the numerous friends throughout the world and across the United States and Canada.
A memorial service celebrating the life of John Fulton White was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at Riverside Avenue Christian Church, 2841 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL with Rev. Richard Hull, III presiding. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests the gifts honoring the life of John F. White be given to Riverside Avenue Christian Church, Jacksonville, or to Northeast Florida Community Hospice, Jacksonville. Messages of sympathy may be sent to Mrs. Kathryn White, 4600 Middleton Park Circle East, Jacksonville, FL 32224.