Edward L. White, age 80 years, of Great Bend, Kan., passed away at his home on Sunday, June 14, 2020 following a heroic battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Ed was born on Aug. 13, 1939 in Fort Morgan, Colo., the son of Herman and Ruby (Etris) White. He was a machinist by trade and supervisor at Flexweight, GBI and Farley Machine. In the 1970’s, he spent time in Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq working for Vetco and Aramco Oil. Following retirement he worked at Rosewood and St. Francis, logging countless hours transporting foster kids.
A fun loving family man of few words, he was a great chef, specializing in delicious dishes from his smoker. He truly enjoyed cooking, especially for family get-togethers, making each holiday grander than the one before. He was self taught and was known most for his infamous Fish Fry’s.
His two favorite pastimes were fishing and dirt track racing, having taken many family camping trips to Grand Lake, Wilson Lake and Colorado. He also loved time at the race shop and going to the race track over the years with his race family.
As the designated family historian, he took great pride in his heritage. He was an amazing Daddy, Uncle, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa (Heavy Emphasis on GREAT.) Ed had the pleasure of taking a trip to follow his heritage from the south across the U.S. documenting the genealogy of the entire family.
Surviving family members include daughters Jami Lee White of Silver City, Iowa, Vicki Bunn and Brenda Goodwin of Hutchinson, Kan.; his grandchildren Heather, Eugene, William, Jessica, Carmen, Antonio, Casey, Miranda, Shelby, Trey and Spencer; and great-grandchildren Landon, Reese, Kai, Zadamarie, James, Zoe and Jaelynne; his nieces Wanda Jackson, Sharon Overton, Kathy Barnard; nephews Martin Harmon and John Harmon. He was preceded in death by his wife Marlene; sister Betty Harmon; and his parents Herman and Ruby White.
Honoring his wishes there will be no Memorial Service, instead the family will be receiving friends on July 4th at his home (“The White House”) and bring your own fireworks. He requested memorials to St. Rose Health Center Endowment Fund for Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice of Great Bend, Kan. and PanCan.ORG in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family and a full obituary notice may be viewed at http://www.chartergreatbend.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Charter Funerals
2115 Washington Street
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 17, 2020
