Robert White

Robert White (aged 84) passed away on May 19, 2012. Robert was born in Dothan, Alabama, on June 27, 1927, and was the 8th of 10 children born to Mack and Pearl White. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters -Mae Frank and Maxine, and brothers - Ralph, James Boots, Quinton Preacher, and Ray. Robert leaves behind his wife, Mary Anne Campbell White, after almost 57 years of marriage and his family. After growing up working in the cotton fields of Alabama, Robert joined the Navy during his senior year of high school (during WWII) but was able to return and graduate as salutatorian of his class. In the Navy, Robert quickly rose through all thirteen enlisted rates and then became a commissioned officer, rising to Full Commander, the highest rank attainable in his category. He served on the commissioning crew of the USS Kitty Hawk, and in his 30+ years of service, Robert was fortunate to be stationed in places, such as Anchorage, Alaska; Naples, Italy; the Embassy at Oslo, Norway, where he served as an Attach ; and at the Pacific Headquarters at Pearl Harbor, in Oahu, Hawaii, plus numerous tours of duty at the Pentagon and aboard ship. For most of his tours of duty, Robert worked as a yeoman in offices under such leaders as Admiral Arleigh Burke, and, after attaining the rank of Lieutenant, he served as the Deputy Administrative Assistant to Admiral John S. McCain at the Pacific Headquarters in Hawaii during and after the Viet Nam war. There he received the Legion of Merit and other medals and awards for the time he served. He was most proud of having served his country and was fortunate to serve at the highest echelons as an administrator. Besides serving his country, Robert found much pleasure in practicing his Christian faith and was always a living testimony of his beliefs to all who knew him. He actively served in the Navigators, at the American Lutheran Church in Oslo, Norway, and he attended church with his family wherever he was stationed. After retirement, he served as a deacon and deacon emeritus at the First Baptist Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida. In his spare time and during his retirement, Robert was active with friends, bowling, playing chess, bridge, and tennis. Although not as active later in life, he kept up with all sports, following favorite players and teams in football, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball. Robert leaves behind a loving wife, Mary Anne; two sons - Robert Arleigh White and James Bentley White; two daughters - Elizabeth Anne White Proctor and Doris Susan White McNeill (Charlie); four grandchildren - Joseph Franklin Joey and Thomas Michael Tommy Proctor, Joshua Luke and Martha Rosanne McNeill; as well as two sisters, Mary Jo Knowles and Margaret Carter (Ray), and a brother, William Bill White, and numerous nieces and nephews. Because of his travels, he will be remembered by many friends close and around the world. The family of Robert White will be receiving family, friends, and guests on Tuesday evening from May 22, 2012 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Beaches Memorial Park, 1500 Main Street, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233. Graveside Services will be private for the family. A church service will be held on Wed. 5/23/12 at 11 am at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.