Obituary for Richard Vernon White
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS TO THE PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION IN MR. WHITE'S NAME.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Vernon White, Sr. (Ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Vernon White, Sr. (Dick), a decorated retired veteran of the United States Army, earned his heavenly wings on November 4, 2023. Dick was born on September 27, 1927, in Charleston, West Virginia, to Mattie Coreatha Price White and Arthur Lee Bedford White. He was the youngest of four children, with two sisters, Thelma McDaniel and Marian Jones, and one brother, John A. White preceding him in death.
Dick grew up in Charleston, in the South Hills neighborhood, where he attended and graduated from Garnett High School in 1945. An avid and accomplished athlete, Dick was awarded a football scholarship to West Virginia State College (WVSC) where he majored in Industrial Arts and was active in the Army ROTC program. A distinguished man and Lifetime Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Dick pledged Tau Chapter, WVSC in 1946. He graduated with honors in 1949 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts, the same year he was commissioned as an officer in the US Army.
Dick's dedicated and honorable military service began as a 2nd Lieutenant the same year he graduated, serving for an impressive twenty-eight years in the U.S. Army. With his first tour of duty following graduation being Japan, Dick embarked on an extraordinary journey that took him to the far corners of the world. At the time of his retirement in 1977, Dick was ranked as Lieutenant Colonel with a military service career that was richly blended with dedication to his country and an undoubtable charming and giving spirit. Dick's commitment to his country earned him numerous awards and accolades, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.
His devotion to service extended into civilian roles where he excelled in planning, scheduling, personnel management, budgeting, and problem-solving. After retirement from the Army, Dick settled in Northern Virginia where he embarked on a second career consulting with the Department of the Army and the Department of the Navy.
Dick met Antoinette (Toni) in 1989 and they began an amazing 32-year love story and marriage rooted in the love of Christ Jesus. A devout Christian committed to his family, church, and community, Dick and Toni joined The First Baptist Church of North Brentwood, Inc. in 2005 under Christian Experience. Dick fondly served the church community in the Men's Ministry and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees receiving Outstanding Service Leader Awards for his involvement.
But Dick found his greatest joy in the garage, creating aesthetically beautiful woodwork pieces, picture framing, and in the kitchen preparing meals and entertaining friends. If you were ever invited to play bridge or poker, you could count on lots of laughter and joy. In addition to travel, Dick’s favorite pastimes included golf, fishing, and cards with his buddies.
Dick is survived by his wife Antoinette (Toni) White, daughter, Dr. Patricia D. White, stepdaughter, LaKisha C. Thompson, daughter-in-law, Eldra Tarpley White, along with four beloved grandchildren: Dr. Maya S. White, Richard V. White, III, Christian I. Thompson, and Ahsana L. Thompson, AND numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great grand nieces and nephews!
At the age of 96, Dick was the patriarch and well-respected rock of his immediate and extended family. As much as he was a distinguished soldier and an accomplished leader, Dick's legacy also includes the warmth, generosity, and humor that endeared him to those who knew him. Dick is and will always be
the epitome of “an Officer and a Gentleman” and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in perfect, eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire us to live and love fully.
2 Timothy 4:6-8
“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” NLT: New Living Translation
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Vernon White, Sr. (Ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Vernon White, Sr. (Dick), a decorated retired veteran of the United States Army, earned his heavenly wings on November 4, 2023. Dick was born on September 27, 1927, in Charleston, West Virginia, to Mattie Coreatha Price White and Arthur Lee Bedford White. He was the youngest of four children, with two sisters, Thelma McDaniel and Marian Jones, and one brother, John A. White preceding him in death.
Dick grew up in Charleston, in the South Hills neighborhood, where he attended and graduated from Garnett High School in 1945. An avid and accomplished athlete, Dick was awarded a football scholarship to West Virginia State College (WVSC) where he majored in Industrial Arts and was active in the Army ROTC program. A distinguished man and Lifetime Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Dick pledged Tau Chapter, WVSC in 1946. He graduated with honors in 1949 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts, the same year he was commissioned as an officer in the US Army.
Dick's dedicated and honorable military service began as a 2nd Lieutenant the same year he graduated, serving for an impressive twenty-eight years in the U.S. Army. With his first tour of duty following graduation being Japan, Dick embarked on an extraordinary journey that took him to the far corners of the world. At the time of his retirement in 1977, Dick was ranked as Lieutenant Colonel with a military service career that was richly blended with dedication to his country and an undoubtable charming and giving spirit. Dick's commitment to his country earned him numerous awards and accolades, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.
His devotion to service extended into civilian roles where he excelled in planning, scheduling, personnel management, budgeting, and problem-solving. After retirement from the Army, Dick settled in Northern Virginia where he embarked on a second career consulting with the Department of the Army and the Department of the Navy.
Dick met Antoinette (Toni) in 1989 and they began an amazing 32-year love story and marriage rooted in the love of Christ Jesus. A devout Christian committed to his family, church, and community, Dick and Toni joined The First Baptist Church of North Brentwood, Inc. in 2005 under Christian Experience. Dick fondly served the church community in the Men's Ministry and as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees receiving Outstanding Service Leader Awards for his involvement.
But Dick found his greatest joy in the garage, creating aesthetically beautiful woodwork pieces, picture framing, and in the kitchen preparing meals and entertaining friends. If you were ever invited to play bridge or poker, you could count on lots of laughter and joy. In addition to travel, Dick’s favorite pastimes included golf, fishing, and cards with his buddies.
Dick is survived by his wife Antoinette (Toni) White, daughter, Dr. Patricia D. White, stepdaughter, LaKisha C. Thompson, daughter-in-law, Eldra Tarpley White, along with four beloved grandchildren: Dr. Maya S. White, Richard V. White, III, Christian I. Thompson, and Ahsana L. Thompson, AND numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great grand nieces and nephews!
At the age of 96, Dick was the patriarch and well-respected rock of his immediate and extended family. As much as he was a distinguished soldier and an accomplished leader, Dick's legacy also includes the warmth, generosity, and humor that endeared him to those who knew him. Dick is and will always be
the epitome of “an Officer and a Gentleman” and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in perfect, eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire us to live and love fully.
2 Timothy 4:6-8
“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” NLT: New Living Translation