Wayne Rodgers White

Funeral Services for Wayne Rodger White are scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013 at First Baptist Church, Mineola with Dr. Mark Neeley officiating. Pallbearers are Don Phillips, Harold Phillips, Jerry Phillips, Thomas Williams, Charles Douglas, Jimmy Moats, Gaylor Oxford and John Jackson. Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Mineola. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20 at Beaty Funeral Home, Mineola from 6 – 8 p.m.

Wayne, age 76, died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013 in Mineola. He was born on October 21, 1936 in Wolfe City to the late Lowell Wayne and Lila Mozel (Scarborough) White. The family moved to Mineola when his father became a conductor for the Texas & Pacific Railway Co. He played basketball, football, tennis and ran track at Mineola High School. He represented MHS at the state track meet in the mile and the sprint relay. He graduated in 1955.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at East Texas State College, a Masters degree in geography from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon at Eugene in geography. During his student days he developed a love of teaching geography courses which continued throughout his career.

He married Levon Goolsby on April 5, 1958, in Quitman. They lived in Commerce; Lubbock; Austin; Richmond, Kentucky and Monmouth, Oregon.

The Whites were members of Central Baptist Church in Monmouth.

Mr. White was a professor of geography at Eastern Kentucky University at Richmond and Western Oregon University in Monmouth from 1964 – 1997. He also taught computer programming for several years. He was a member of several state and national geographic organizations. Mr. White had worked with the National Geographic Institute. He co-authored and edited several geography textbooks, including Culture, Resource, and Economic Activity; an introduction to economic geography.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Nona White and Sharon White Neely.

He is survived by his wife Levon of Mineola and Monmouth, Oregon; his daughter Shandra Harris of Bend, Oregon; his son Wayne Rodgers White II of Monmouth, Oregon; two grandsons, Andrew Harris and Michael Harris of Bend, Oregon; a sister and brother-in-law Dona Usry (Milton) of Pensacola, Florida; brother-in-law Don Neely and wife Silvia of Alexandria, Louisiana; brother-n-law Leo Goolsby and wife Martinette of Lubbock, Texas; sister-in-law and husband Linda Berry and Ben of Ladonia; sister-in-law LaNell Goolsby of Tyler; brother-in-law and wife J.D.Goolsby and Judy of Hinton, Alberta, Canada; an uncle TwymanWhite; an aunt Sue White; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

As an educator, friend and family and church member he influenced many lives. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to your favorite charity or to the First Baptist Church.