Obituary for Jesse Gardner White Jr.
Jesse White, Jr., 89, of Eustace, Texas, passed away February 4, 2022, in Eustace.
Jesse Gardner White, Jr. was born March 15, 1932, in Charleston, New Hampshire, the son of Robert White and Jessi (Bundy) White. He graduated from the Berwick Academy in Maine in 1950 where he obtained the nickname “Smiley”, and later married Kate LaFáye Yancy on January 6, 1951. He enlisted in the United States Army where he served from 1951 to 1954 as a weapon specialist. After the military, he attended Southern Methodist University where he graduated with his bachelor’s in engineering. Shortly thereafter, Jesse went to work for the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, specializing in the firing and timing of nuclear weapons. He remained for 45 years, retiring in 1995 as a deputy group leader. He was a member of several organizations including the N.R.A., T.S.R.A., V.F.W., and Elks Lodge. Jesse enjoyed hiking, mountaineering, and traveling. He was a hard worker, tenacious, and true to his word. His remarkable legacy as a son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather will live on in the lives of those he leaves behind.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 67 years, Kate LaFáye (Yancey) White, and his daughter-in-law, Victoria Myer-Christian.
Survivors include children, Jason White of Lubbock, Texas, Kristine Williams and husband Wesley of Eustace, Texas; siblings, Mabel Sullivan of New Hampshire, Margarete Valentine of Maine; grandchildren, Nicole White, James White, Abigail Williams, Justin Williams, Bradley Justin Williams; seven grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial graveside will be announced at a later date.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.
Jesse Gardner White, Jr. was born March 15, 1932, in Charleston, New Hampshire, the son of Robert White and Jessi (Bundy) White. He graduated from the Berwick Academy in Maine in 1950 where he obtained the nickname “Smiley”, and later married Kate LaFáye Yancy on January 6, 1951. He enlisted in the United States Army where he served from 1951 to 1954 as a weapon specialist. After the military, he attended Southern Methodist University where he graduated with his bachelor’s in engineering. Shortly thereafter, Jesse went to work for the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, specializing in the firing and timing of nuclear weapons. He remained for 45 years, retiring in 1995 as a deputy group leader. He was a member of several organizations including the N.R.A., T.S.R.A., V.F.W., and Elks Lodge. Jesse enjoyed hiking, mountaineering, and traveling. He was a hard worker, tenacious, and true to his word. His remarkable legacy as a son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather will live on in the lives of those he leaves behind.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 67 years, Kate LaFáye (Yancey) White, and his daughter-in-law, Victoria Myer-Christian.
Survivors include children, Jason White of Lubbock, Texas, Kristine Williams and husband Wesley of Eustace, Texas; siblings, Mabel Sullivan of New Hampshire, Margarete Valentine of Maine; grandchildren, Nicole White, James White, Abigail Williams, Justin Williams, Bradley Justin Williams; seven grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial graveside will be announced at a later date.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.