Obituary for Col James Eugene White Colonel James Eugene White, USAF (Ret), died on October 26, 2018 in Greer at age 89. Colonel White was born on February 8, 1929 in Lyman, SC, son of Coleman and Bernice White. He attended the University of South Carolina for one year prior to entering the U. S. Naval Academy in 1947.
After graduation in 1951, his first assignments were to basic flying school at Spence Field, Moultrie GA and multi-engine advance flying training at Reese AFB, Lubbock TX, receiving his pilot wings in August 1952. After receiving his wings, Colonel White was assigned to Donaldson AFB, Greenville SC in August 1952 as an operational pilot in C-119s. In 1953, he was assigned to Ashiya AB, Japan, again flying C-119s.
He was reassigned to Donaldson AFB, SC in 1955, transitioning into C-124s. During this tour, he participated in both the Belgian Congo and the Lebanon Crises. He attended Electronics Maintenance Officers’ School Keesler AFB, Biloxi MI in 1960, followed by assignment to Air Weather Service in December 1961 at Scott AFB, Belleville IL.
In 1963 he served a remote tour at Tin City AFS, Alaska as a Radar Maintenance Officer. He transferred then to Charleston AFB, Charleston SC flying C-124 aircraft, later transitioning to C-141 aircraft. He flew 33 combat missions in South Vietnam during the 1965-68 time frame.
In 1968, he was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH as the Military Airlift Command Liaison Officer to the C-5 Program Office. After promotion to Colonel in August 1971, he transferred to Scott AFB, IL in 1971 as Chief of the Airlift Division, later serving as the Deputy Director of Operational Requirements until retirement in July 1979. Colonel White’s honors and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Korean Service Medal, Combat Ready Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
Colonel White was employed by the Boeing Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS from January 1980 until retirement on 1 June 1991. He and his wife then moved to Greer, SC. He was a member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, Order of Daedalians (Faternity of Military Pilots), Air Force Association, The Retired Military Officers Association and the Airlift/Tanker Association.
Colonel White is survived by his wife, the former Loretta Kimbrell of Lyman, SC; two sons, Danny (Jan) of St Louis MO and Dennis (Yvonne) of Greer, SC; two daughters, Cathy Smith of Taylors and Teresa Gossett (Greg) of Mulvane, KS; ten grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by one son, James David White in July 1969, two sisters, Joyce Ann Ledford and Nancy Burch; and three brothers, William, Bobby and Walter White. Visitation will be held 1:30-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at Lyman Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens. The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Order of Daedalians, PO Box 37367, San Antonia, TX 78148. Online condolences may be made at www. thewoodmortuary.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Col James Eugene White please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , OCT 30. 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM Lyman First Baptist Church 80 Groce Road Lyman, SC, US, 29365 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Col James’ Visitation begins.
Service , OCT 30. 3:00 PM Lyman First Baptist Church 80 Groce Road Lyman, SC, US, 29365 Order Flowers for the Service Guaranteed delivery before Col James’ Service begins.
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