   Eugene Clarence White 22 November 1944 - 4 July 2019 Norma J. Savage White 5 February 1945 - wed 6 April 1968 Children: Todd Houston, Tisha Jean   Eugene Clarence White was welcomed home to Heaven on July 4, 2019 at Texoma Medical Care Center in Sherman, Texas. Gene was born in Sherman on Thursday, November 22, 1944 on Thanksgiving Day. son of Eugene Houston and Leah Tuley White. Known to many longtime friends as "Sonny," he was raised in the Farmington community southwest of Howe. Gene was a 1963 graduate of Howe High School and received an Associates Degree from Grayson County College. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Howe. Gene married Norma Jean Savage in Gunter, Texas on Saturday, April 6, 1968. They were married 51 years at the time of his death. Gene joined the U.S. Navy in 1966 and served a tour of duty in Vietnam with NSA Det Cat Lo with the Swift Boats PCF squadron Coastal Division 13. While serving in Vietnam he was awarded a Letter of Commendation and promoted to a 2nd-class electrician in 1967. After serving a tour of duty in Vietnam, he was stationed aboard the minesweeper USS Observer MSO 461 from 1968-1970 as 2nd class electrician in Charleston, South Carolina. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. His last duty was the US Naval Base at Corpus Christi, Texas in 1970 and after that he served 2 years in the Naval Reserves. He was honorably discharged on March 13, 1972. He became 100% disabled from exposure to Agent Orange while serving his country in Vietnam He was employed by Texas Instruments first in Dallas and then in Sherman as a Process Engineering Technician for 32-1/2 years and then MEMC for 2 years before retiring in 1998. Gene was a natural born mechanic and enjoyed working on his own cars, building his own engines for his 1969 GMC pickup. Failing health prevented him from building the last engine to be installed in his truck. The engine was built and installed by good friend, Kenny Ferguson, who preceded him in death. He and his brother-in-law, James Savage, built and raced their own car during Todd's years in Scouts. He was an avid fan of NASCAR and enjoyed going to races at TMS for a number of years. He instilled honesty, integrity and a strong work ethic in his children that they have passed down to their children. He always supported his children's activities in school, whether it be sports, scouts or going to Camp Fire girls' box lunch dinner with Tisha. He is survived by his wife of the home; daughter, Tisha Jean Taylor and husband, Brian, of Van Alstyne, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Todd Houston White and wife, Tina, of Asheville, North Carolina; precious grandchildren, Madison, Jacob, Hannah, Molly and Jack; and great-granddaughter, Carly. He is also survived by a special nephew and niece, Vince Hash and Salina Byrd; brother-in-law and wife, James and Debbie Savage; along with many friends. Services for Gene were held Tuesday morning, July 9, 2019 at First Baptist Church in Howe with burial following in Hall Cemetery near Howe with military honors. Pallbearers were Harvey Purdom, Ronnie Lankford, Damon Salmon, Vince Hash, Tom Byrd, Craig Boyd, Travis Byrd, and Harold Finney. Services were under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home, Van Alstyne, Texas. - - - Scoggins Funeral Home  Hall Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |