Jere White

Jere Addison White, a true legend in the eyes of his family and friends, passed away April 14, 2021. We were lucky to have had him for nearly 87 years.

Jere was born in the Masonic Hospital of Cherokee, Oklahoma on April 22, 1934 to Rosalie and John Francis “Hap” White. He graduated from Cherokee High School in 1952 and enrolled in college in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He married Barbara Sue Green on August 28, 1954. They moved to Panhandle in 1959 and raised their family there.

He graduated from Oklahoma A & M (Oklahoma State University) in 1956 with a B.S. in Geology and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. He served in the 597th Field Artillery group and the 90th Infantry division, and was honorably discharged as a Captain in December 1965.

Jere worked for Celanese Chemical Corporation in Pampa, Texas for over 30 years, where he was an active member of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers. He retired from Celanese in March 1989 as a Senior Engineer.

Retiring on the day he turned 55, Jere (Pa Pa) spent years living life to the fullest. He traveled the world with the love of his life, built a cabin in Angel Fire, New Mexico that his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will forever treasure, and spent every holiday celebrating with a family who adored him. He carved wooden statues of St. Francis that sit in the gardens of each of his family members, he loved his dogs with all of his heart, and he laughed often enjoying stories of his great grandchildren and their antics. He brewed his own beer, chopped wood and hosted an annual men’s ski trip that will continue into its 32nd year and beyond in his honor. He loved geology, reading, OSU football, and yardwork. He was an active member of the First Christian Church for over 52 years. He will be missed dearly.

He was preceded in death by his grandson Wesley Steve Sterling.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara, his brother, John Francis White II; his daughter and son-in-law, Kimberli and Steve Sterling, his son Jere Wayne White, his grandchildren, Kelli and Drew Neumeyer and Colby and Marci Sterling and his great-grandchildren, Weslie and Graham Neumeyer and Colton and Brighlee Sterling.

A celebration of life will be held over the summer in Angel Fire, New Mexico. In lieu of any flowers, the family asks that donations be made to City Church Children’s Outreach, 205 S Polk St, Amarillo, TX 79101 or any charity of your choice.