WORLD WAR II VETERAN DEAD AT AGE 97
Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) We sadly report the passing of our father, Roy G. White, who died this morning, July 5, 2021, at the age of 97. Dad had been diagnosed with a faulty heart valve two years ago, but doctors counseled against surgery because of his age.
Dad had multiple blackouts and falls over these past two years, but always bounced back. Last night as he was climbing stairs to his bedroom, Dad had a nasty fall resulting in a bloody wound to his head.
He was taken to UT Medical Trauma Center where he died. We knew this day was coming, but that doesn't make it any easier. A few years ago I did an interview with Dad and will include some information he gave me in this post.
Roy Granville White (1923-2021) was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on October 9, 1923. He attended White Elementary School in South Knox County (named after his grandfather who gave the land for the original school). His favorite subject was Arithmetic.
RGW attended Young High School for one year then went to work for his uncle A.E. delivering eggs in downtown Knoxville. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a medic in the South Pacific during World War II, 1943-1945.
While on leave in Sydney, Australia, he met Mavis Mary Green. After the war she came to the U.S. & she and Dad married on January 29, 1947. They had one child, John Robert White (me), who was born in June 1948.
In the late 1950s, Dad went to work at the U.S. Postal Service and rose to the position of supervisor of mails.
Dad had a great impact on my life. He was always there for me and wanted to make sure I was protected. Dad was the "Best Man" at my wedding and that's appropriate because he is best man I have ever known.
I will miss you, Dad, will never forget you and always love you. Thank you for serving our country and for being part of "the greatest generation*."
*The Greatest Generation, aka the GI Generation & the WWII Generation, is generally defined as people born 1901-1927 & having lived through the Great Depression and World War II.
SOURCE
"Interview with Roy G. White," by John White, July 2018.
