Mr. James Abbott White, Sr., 94 of Navasota, went home to his loving Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 20, 2017. He was surrounded by many loving friends and family days and weeks before his passing.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 23 from 1:00-3:00pm at Nobles Funeral Chapel. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, April 24 at 10:00 at the funeral home with the Rev. Henry Sanders officiating. Masonic graveside services and interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.
James was born in Navasota on June 5, 1922, to William Leroy and Rachel Nunn White. He worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad before proudly serving in World War II on the U.S.S. Henderson and the aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Hornet CV-12 as a Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class from June 29, 1942 to November 1, 1945. After returning to Navasota Mr. White owned several gas stations and a charcoal plant with his brother Melvin. He eventually went to Dallas and Houston working for Sullivan Transfer and SAIA Motorfreight as a warehouse manager until his retirement. James was a Master Mason in Navasota Lodge #299 A.F.&A.M. and a member of Navasota VFW Post #4006. He was a lifelong resident of Navasota and will be remembered by family and friends alike for his many pecan pies.
Mr. White was preceded in death by his parents; wife Nona Ethel (Newman) White; sons Phillips Douglas White and James (Jim) Abbott White, Jr.; brothers W.L. White, Jr., Laurence White and Melvin White; sister Dorothy M. White-Shaw and their spouses; and very special longtime friend and companion Clara Hiller Eickenhorst.
He is survived by his sons Jonathan David White and wife Renee Inglehart, Glenn Roy White and wife Barbara Lynn; sister Mildred White McMillan and husband Carl; 8 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.