Thursday, January 23, 2025
It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my much loved husband and best friend, Don White, who died at home quietly and peacefully after almost four years of struggling with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis disease.
Born in Baltimore, MD to Frank B. and Madeline E. (Barnes) White Don would be the third oldest of seven children. As a young child, the family moved to Midland, NC where his father’s family lived and he would graduate from high school there. After high school he attended Eastern North Carolina University but found his attention distracted by the conflict in Vietnam. His military career began in 1966 when he voluntarily enlisted in the US Air Force to go to Southeast Asia. He served one tour in VietNam and one tour in Thailand. After these two tours he was selected by the Air Force Boot Strap Program to complete his degree in business and economics at the University of Nebraska 1970-1971.
While in the University, Don met his future wife, Vicki Christine White, on a University Ski Club trip to Vail,CO. Don transferred inter-service to the US Navy Officers Commissioning Program in 1973 and finally realized two of his childhood dreams: becoming a military flight officer and eventually living in the Pacific Northwest. His Naval career took him first to Rota, Spain where he conducted reconnaissance flights in the Mediterranean, Baltic, North and South Atlantic Seas. Don and Vicki reconnected the summer of 1975 while he was stationed in Spain and married June 12, 1976 in her home town of Pueblo,
She then joined him in Spain to begin her life as a Navy spouse. Don’s tactical aviation electronic warfare experience began in 1977 at NAS Whidbey Island, flying the EA6B “the Prowler” for the next 10 years aboard various aircraft carriers worldwide. Commander White accumulated over 3500 hours of tactical flying and over 600 landings aboard aircraft carriers.
On deployment in 1985, Don had the opportunity to observe NATO military exercises with a US Naval officer stationed in Norway as an Exchange Officer with the Norwegian Air Force. Inspired by the beauty of Norway Don could see a future beyond flying. Although still a Naval Flight Officer, he left the active flying community in 1988 for posting as an exchange officer with the Southern Norwegian Air Staff for two years. His last assignment before retiring was at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium starting in 1990 as the former Soviet Bloc was being disbanded. Don marveled that as a farm boy from rural NC he had a small part in the negotiations of countries vying to join NATO. He retired in 1994 at the age of 48 eager as a kid in a candy shop trying to decide what to do next.
We knew after a few years living on Whidbey Island we wanted mountain property in the Cascades and loved Leavenworth so bought land on Mountain Home before moving to Norway. Don started to make our home here in 1994 and Vicki followed in 1997. Don converted to the Catholic faith while in Vietnam and when he moved to Leavenworth he immediately became involved with Our Lady of the Snows and then Our Lady of the Assumption, in all ways possible. His faith never wavered during his illness but only grew stronger. His vocation after retirement became construction and landscaping, particularly building beautiful rock walls and features. He poured all his creativity into the Mediation Garden and Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of the Snows in Leavenworth and on our last 26 acres below the Icicle Irrigation Ditch before it was sold. His other love was the outdoors and enjoyed re-establishing the ski jump with Kjell Bakke and others and establishing the Ski Heritage Foundation. Anyone who ever skied with Don knows that he had more endurance, strength, and curiosity to go further and further and further. Whatever country Don lived in he always made it truly a home for him and Vicki.
He is survived by his wife, Vicki and his constant companion Hushja the Third. Siblings: Dianne Gagliano, Dixie Howes, Dorthea White, Daniel White (Linda Caudle), Debi Tucker (George). Nephews: Christopher White (Katherine; children Adyson & Cameron), Jason White, Thad Carter (Trista; son Erik), Carlos Gagliano (daughters Alexis & Zadie), Jerone Gagliano (Molly; sons Emmett & Sasha), Joseph Gagliano (Edna; sons Joseph, Matthew, & Luke), and DJ White. Niece, Tina Gagliano. Besides Don’s parents, Don was preceded in death by his brother, David White.
Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Assumption in Cashmere. Reception immediately followed at the church.
Don expected his death to be one of celebration and joy and nothing less and to continue to build the Lord’s church here on earth. With that in mind, in lieu of flowers please contribute to the Building Campaign Matching Challenge for Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church before December 31, 2024.
Our Lady of the Assumption Giving Information:
509 548 5119
9500 Jeske Rd., Peshastin, WA 98847
The Family would like to thank the Chelan County VA Services and Confluence Health Palliative staff and Hospice Caregivers.
