Charles Albert White

Charles White Obituary Services to honor and celebrate the life of Charles Albert White will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 11, 2023 at Bixby First Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Bixby Cemetery. Family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday evening, August 10, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Rivercrest Chapel & Event Center. After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Charles passed away on August 1, 2023, at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 79. Born April 20, 1944, in Columbus, Kansas, Charles was the son of Clarence and Georgia (Simmons) White. Charles was raised and educated in Oswego, Kansas - growing up only one block away from Linda Sheddrick - who would become the love of his life! The journey for these two was lifelong. It began as they attended Kindergarten together, even lying side-by-side on napping mats, all the way to celebrating a wonderful 56 years of marriage; and God blessed them with two sons and a daughter. Over the years, they also opened their home to three foreign exchange students and a family of seven from Vietnam. Throughout school, Charles was active in the band playing the clarinet. He was also the student manager of the football team and served as a lifeguard at the community swimming pool. He was one of the 25 members of the graduating class of Oswego High School in 1963. Following high school, Charles would attend Pittsburgh Technical College where he studied heating and air conditioning. Shortly afterward, he moved to Tulsa where he was employed as a pipefitter. He was a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union and had the opportunity to work on the Alaska Pipeline. In 1976, Charles began working for Turner Roofing. His responsibilities included caring for their fleet of vehicles, as well as tracking inventory. He was certainly an integral part of the organization, even if, mostly, behind the scenes. Charles was a member of the Air National Guard for seven years where he was a weapons specialist and small arms instructor. Another organization that was dear to Charles, and that he was devoted to, was the Boy Scouts of America. Charles was a troop leader for Troop 117, in Bixby. He enjoyed camping out and being in nature. He was presented with the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award a district could bestow upon a volunteer. Charles was so proud when both of his sons and, later, two grandsons became Eagle Scouts. In his spare time, Charles loved to hunt quail and fish. He loved the outdoors spending time camping, going to the lake, or just working in his garden. He would spend hours in his workshop and could repair anything mechanical. After he retired, he and Linda enjoyed traveling. Among their favorite stops were the U.S. National Parks and visiting their grandchildren and families in Colorado. Charles had a close relationship with his brother and sister and loved the times they were able to travel together. Always positive and looking on the bright side of things, Charles displayed a calm character and a willingness to help anyone. Friends have described him as a good friend, kind, mentor, loving, patient, caring, joyful, and a faithful witness. A long-time member of the Bixby First Methodist Church, Charles served as a trustee, the ad council, the Men's Group, and was a Stephen Minister. He was involved with Vacation Bible School and enjoyed the youth ski trips when his children were younger. Charles was also active with the Walk to Emmaus Community where he was affectionately known as "Charlie." He served as a Lay Director and in many prayer rooms on the Walks. Charles will certainly be missed by those who knew and loved him. He is survived by: his loving wife, Linda White; his sons: Dr. James White and wife, Jan; and Bryan White and wife, Sarah; grandchildren: Serena, Grant, Aidan, Mitch, Cameron, and Karissa; brother, Tom White and wife, Donna; sister, Susan Manley and husband, Dan; nieces and nephews: Nicole, Len, Josh, Kevin, and Keren. He was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Phillip; his daughter, Erin Elizabeth White and by a niece, Melissa (Manley) Toon. The family suggests donations in Charles' memory be directed to the Bixby First Methodist Church. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Albert White, please visit our floral store. Read More

Charles Albert White

April 20, 1944 - August 1, 2023