Obituary of Thomas Richard White

Thomas Richard (“Dick”) White,  loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather died peacefully on April 6, 2019.  Dick’s life showed devotion to God, family, friends, community, and country.  He was born on December 22, 1924 in Corsicana, Texas, to T.J. and Ruth L. White.  After graduating from Pittsburg High in 1942, he served as midshipman (later lieutenant) in the U.S. Navy during World War II.   Dick graduated from the University of Texas  (Austin) with a Bachelor of Journalism in 1948.  While at UT, he lettered on the swim team and was a member of the Longhorn Band.   He married Georgia Geneva (“Jenny”) Martin in 1950, and they made Pittsburg their home for 64 years. He was editor and publisher of The Pittsburg Gazette, Pittsburg, Texas, past president and long-time director of the Northeast Texas Press Association, past director of Texas Press Association, and won many state and regional press association awards as editorial writer.  He was past chairman of the Administrative Board of the First United Methodist Church in Pittsburg, served on the Board of Trustees, and was a Sunday school teacher there for over 60 years.  Camp County Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 1970, Dick was also past President of the Pittsburg Rotary Club, was a Cub Scout leader, and helped build the first Little League baseball park in Pittsburg.  He was one of 3 of the first Boy Scouts in Pittsburg to become Eagle Scouts.  He was past president of Princedale Country Club, and also former president and member of the North East Texas Municipal Water District for over 20 years, advocating for Pittsburg’s portion of water rights to Lake Bob Sandlin.  Dick was the author of a book on Pilgrim’s Pride, celebrating the company’s first fifty years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jenny, his daughter Toni Evetts, son, Tom White, son-in-law David Smith , as well as grandchildren Kate and Cole Evetts, Leslie and Austin Evetts ,  and  great-grandchildren Reese and Sadie Evetts--all of Austin.

Services for Mr. White will be held on Saturday, April 13.  A family graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Rose Hill Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Pittsburg.

Visitation will be at Erman Smith Funeral Home on Friday, April 12, 5:30-7:30 pm.  The family has suggested that memorial gifts be directed to the local Boy Scouts of America or to First United Methodist Church, Pittsburg.