John T. White

John Truman White

John T. White
May 10, 2015
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 86
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran

John T. White, 86, of Oskaloosa passed away early Sunday morning, May 10, 2015, at his home in Oskaloosa.

John Truman White was born on a farm near Argyle, Iowa, December 6, 1928, to Guy Truman and Elva (Smith) White. He spent the first several months of his life with Aunt Louie and Uncle Doss Rench while his mother recovered from breast cancer surgery.

John’s father had a herd of Holstein dairy cows, so as a boy, he learned to milk and do farm work. He also loved to roam the woods and hunt in the “700 Acres” that joined the family farm.

John was baptized at the Embury Methodist Church near Argyle and joined the church at an early age.

He graduated from the Argyle High School as class salutatorian, then joined the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Japan at the close of WWII.

John attended Iowa Wesleyan College and received his B.A. from Parsons College. He earned an M.A. from the University of Iowa.

On September 3, 1950 he married Carol Jean Sauer at the Farson, Iowa Baptist Church.

He worked summers, and for a short time at John Deere in Ottumwa, where he played baseball as he had in high school and college.

John’s 35 year teaching career began at Argyle where he was a teacher and coach. The Burlington Hawkeye Gazette named him “Coach of the Year” in 1958 when the Argyle softball team won the state tournament, the girls’ basketball team was one of the “Sweet Sixteen”, the boys’ baseball team was a state semi-finalist, and the boys’ basketball team was a sub-state runner-up.

He continued coaching at HLV, Victor, where he was once again blessed with some dedicated athletes. John finished his teaching career as a counselor at Pella Community Schools.

After retirement John spent his time on the farm east of Oskaloosa where he and his wife had lived since 1967, raising cattle and sheep.

John was an active member of local and state sheep organizations, and served as a representative to national meetings. He and his wife were honored as Master Lamb Producers, and in 1997 were inducted into the Iowa Sheep Hall of Fame.

Always interested in conservation and the outdoors, John worked as a summer ranger for two years at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. He served for sixteen years on the Mahaska County Conservation Board and on the board of the South Central Mental Health Center for seven years.

In 2012 John was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. As the disease progressed and filled his lungs with fibrous tissue, he was able to do fewer and fewer of the things he wanted and needed to do, until he became prisoner in his own body. He passed from this life May 10, 2015. Now he is free.

John is survived by his wife, Carol Jean; a sister, Esther White; three nephews, Al (& Brenda) Azinger, Ken (& Gail) Azinger, and Clarence (& Jamie) White; and a niece Lurajean (& Bud) Gatton and their families. He is also survived by his wife’s nephews: John (& Liz) Sauer, Andy Sauer, and Mark (& Lynda) Sauer; and nieces: Wanda (& Doug) Bagby and Debbie (& Larry) Matheson and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clifford (& Elma) White and Clarence (& Albertha) White; and a sister, Luella (& Gus) Azinger.

Visitation and time of remembrance will be held on Sunday, May 17, at 1:30 p.m. in the First Assembly of God Family Fellowship Center at 716 South 17th ST in Oskaloosa. (The southeast door on the lower level should be used for entrance.)
As was his wish, his body has been cremated.
Burial will be in the Deuser Cemetery near Hedrick at a later date.
Memorials may be made in his name to the Mahaska County Conservation Board for the construction of the Caldwell Learning Center.

Praise God for a life well lived.