Don R. White
1942-2014
Don R. White, 72, of Edmond, OK was born January 25, 1942 in Charlotte, NC and passed away at his home Saturday, March 15, 2014 after battling leukemia for several months.
Don graduated from Lee Edwards High School in Asheville, NC, Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC and Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN. His education included medical and law studies. After college, he taught biology, chemistry and physics at Carter High School in Knoxville, TN and later worked as an energy information specialist for Oakridge Associated Universities in Oakridge, TN traveling nationwide dispensing information about energy and alternate resources for fuel: everything from solar to nuclear. He created and performed visual demonstrations to make the programs educational and entertaining to civic and corporate groups, and schools.
For many years Don enjoyed a successful practice in Edmond as a clinical hypnotherapist, helping thousands of people improve their lives by achieving their goals and aspirations through hypnosis. His much requested motivational seminar was entitled “Change Your Mind…Change Your Life.”
Dr. Don was known as “America’s Favorite Hypnotist” performing comedy hypnosis shows for corporate functions, proms, graduation events, cruise ships and other venues including Las Vegas and Branson.
Don was a man of many talents and interests: former trumpeter; lead singer and guitarist in a band; magician; outstanding ballroom dancer; and golfer. He loved reading, traveling, history and watching sports, especially college and professional football and basketball. Going to baseball games with his son, the beach with his wife and family or attending any type of family gatherings were very special to him. He was proud of his family, their accomplishments and their love for each other and God. Don was a committed Christian and member of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
To Karen, his wife, Don was a faithful and loving companion and to his friends he was a loyal, devoted confidant with a listening ear. He was a brilliant showman who could make his audience laugh and forget the problems of this world for awhile. The memories he instilled in people will continue to live in their lives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Marcelle White of Mt. Holly, NC.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Karen O’Hern White; son Reverend Dr. Sean White and wife Tiffany of Knoxville, TN; daughter Angela Cox and husband Jeb of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren Natalie and Caleb White and Kara Cox; sisters Melda Burleson and Jan Freeman of Gastonia, NC and Karen Oakley of Macon, GA; and many nieces and nephews.
Don’s family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, calls and support during the past several months.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 2 pm at Quail Springs Baptist Church, OKC.
A second memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 2 pm at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN.
Don, was a good father to Angela and a wonderful grandfather to Kara. He was a kind person who welcomed me into his family as my father-in-law. He entrusted me with his daughter and our daughter Kara.
He was a decent, intelligent human being. I know he was very proud of his son Sean. He spoke often of his sisters in the most loving way. I know he loved and cared for his wife deeply. You could tell it in the way he touched her nose and said “good morning beautiful.”
He is deeply missed and we are all a little less without him. We’ll see you again soon Daddy. We’ll keep the train lantern on for you.
Jeb, Ange and Kara
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL THE WHITE FAMILY!
We send our love to all of you. Don was such a special guy and I have such fond memories of the time he spent at our home during his Gardner-Webb days. Even then he had that very special “something” that made everyone love him. I’m proud to claim kin with him.
Don was a friend for over 50 years…high school, church, college. We are saddened by his death but know that he is singing with the angels. Our prayers are with his family and we are thankful we can celebrate Don’s life in May at the memorial service in Knoxville, TN.
I truly am thankful that Don and Karen were brought into my life. The short time I was his nurse brought joy and inspiration to my life and career. I will always remember his laughter and bright eye’s at every turn in the road of cancer. What a true inspiration. I will miss him, but carry him with me from patient to patient. Thank you Don.
There are some people that you are so thankful that you get to meet in your life and Dr. White was one of those people. I know he is going to missed dearly by his family, friends, and all those who knew him.