Claud E. White

Claud E. White

1920-2014

Claud Earl White, born September 13, 1920, went to be with his heavenly Father on September 26, 2014.

Claud was born in Tushka, Oklahoma and grew up there. He entered military service in the U.S. Air Force in 1940, and piloted a bomber during World War II as a second lieutenant. On his last mission, he bailed out of his B-24 over Germany. He was captured by the Nazis and he and 16 other Air Force pilots, bombardiers and navigators were imprisoned for 18 months in Barth, Germany. Their barracks, part of Stalag Luft 1, was a 16-foot cell furnished with eight bunk beds. The POW group was liberated in May 1, 1944. Claud recalled the flight home to the States as “one time we didn’t mind getting into an airplane without a parachute.

Claud married the love of his life, Lillie Butler, on June 28, 1944, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. They celebrated 53 years of marriage and rejoiced at the birth of their only son, Kris Eugene White. They welcomed their “daughter” when Kris married Sherry Kay Jobe on August 5, 1979.

After retiring as a major from the Air Force in 1960 after a 20-year career, Claud became a classroom teacher, having received his education degree from what is now Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. He later served as superintendent of schools at Valiant, Waynoka and Yale. After that he was assistant to the executive director of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association from 1967-1972, and then was executive director from 1972-1986. He enjoyed playing golf—he once played nearly 300 rounds in one calendar year—and watching all athletic events, especially his son and later his grandsons play baseball.

Claud was preceded in death by wife Lillie, and his parents and siblings. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Kris and Sherry White; two grandsons and their wives, Dusty and Margy White, and Cody and Hillary White; six great grandchildren, Jackson, Gabe, Cort, Decker, Lillie and Brooks. He is also survived by a sister, Wanda Loman of Fayetteville, Ark.

A church family, residents of Tealridge, the early-morning coffee group at Homeland, extended “family” and many friends will miss Claud and his many examples of strength and generosity.

Services are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sept.30, 2014 at Memorial Road Church of Christ of Edmond; Interment with military color guard will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery of Oklahoma City.