Joseph G. WHITE

WHITE, LEE, OLSON, ORTEGREN, READ, ELLIS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/9/2011 at 12:53:37

January 5, 1919 -- January 28, 2011

Joseph G. White, 92, longtime resident of Maricopa, died January 28, 2011. Joe was born in Clarion, Iowa, in 1919, to Hallie and Julia White, and his family moved to Maricopa in 1925. He attended Maricopa public schools and graduated Maricopa HS in 1938. Joe met his wife-to-be Margaret at Maricopa HS and they married in 1939. Together they raised two sons, Gerald and Thomas. During World War II, Joe entered the US Army in 1944 and served with the 163rd Infantry in the Pacific Theater of Operations, first as a PFC rifleman in combat, then as an auto mechanic, and finally as a motor sergeant in a battalion motor pool in the combat area. Upon return home from Japan in 1946, Joe was employed by the War Department as an aircraft inspector for the Army Air Force and stationed at the Douglas Aircraft plant in Long Beach, CA, for two years. Upon discharge, Joe and Margaret and their two sons farmed in the Cuyama Valley until the late 50's. Joe's work history included being a mechanic for Atlantic Richfield, and he sold Farmer's Insurance. He concluded his work life as owner-operator of Spray Rite Carwash in Taft which he sold in 1984.

Joe enjoyed several hobbies during his lifetime. He learned to fly private planes and owned an Air Coupe for several years. He invented several items including a hydraulic packing gland for oilfield equipment, a chimney brush, a handheld exerciser, and a solar hot water heating system. He was working on another invention when he died. What a creative mind! He also enjoyed working on vehicles, a pastime shared with his son Gerald. They restored vehicles and Joe made an electric vehicle out of a gas-powered pickup. He was a regular participant in local parades.

Traveling periodically to Alaska to visit son Tom and family, Joe decided to build a summer home in the Wasilla area, a project he completed with his two sons. The family enjoyed the small home on the lake for several years. Joe was a devoted son, brother, husband, father,and grandfather and enjoyed nothing more than time spent with his family.

Joe was preceded in death in 2002 by his wife of 63 years Margaret White, his son Thomas H. White of Tumwater, WA, in 2005, his son Gerald F. White of Maricopa in 2009, and a sister Rose Marie in 1944. His sister, June White Lee (96) survived him, but passed away not long after Joe's death. He is survived by his brother John White of Maricopa, daughter-in-law Melinda White of Tumwater, WA; grandchildren Joseph R. White of Ketchikan, AK, Mary White of Kodiak AK, and Michelle Olson of Bellingham, WA, and their spouses, and nine great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews and many cousins, and of course, his friends. Special thanks go to extended family and local friends who helped Joe in the past eighteen months following the death of his son Gerald and subsequent serious health challenges Joe experienced. The family specifically wants to thank Joe's nephew Leif Ortegren and his wife Sherri, niece Joan Read, and niece Vikki Ellis, friends Nelda Floyd, Jerry Schuster, and Susan Roady, and his devoted caregivers Evelyn and Mila. These and many other unnamed people supported Joe and his closest family throughout Joe's challenges and following his death.

A graveside service with military honors was held February 3, at West Side District Cemetery in Taft. Arrangements were made by West Side Memorial Services in Taft. The family would like to thank those who attended the service and the many who sent flowers and cards.. If you would like to honor Joe's memory, please consider a contribution to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Taft Midway Driller - Taft CA
March 3, 2011

http://www.taftmidwaydriller.com/obituaries/x1568452580/JOSEPH-G-WHITE