MICHAEL HOWARD WHITE
Michael Howard White, age 63, former Oak Harbor resident, passed away of natural causes at his Portland home on Monday, December 12, 2016.
Michael was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 10, 1953, to Howard Gervis White and Thelma Jean (Griffin) White. In addition to Hawaii, he also lived in California and New York, before coming to Oak Harbor. He was a 1971 graduate of Oak Harbor High School. In his younger years, he along with friends was instrumental in starting Help House.
Michael was a resident of Portland, Oregon, for five years. He loved education, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington State University Vancouver, and was currently in the Masters program. He was a teaching assistant for abnormal psychology and a research assistant for work on chronic fatigue syndrome. He was involved in campus student government and advocated on behalf of the Students with Disabilities Club and a member of the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board. Michael was a recipient of the 2015/2016 Lori Irving Memorial Psychology Scholarship, a distinguished honor.
Michael is survived by his three children: Benjamin White (Colleen) of Marysville, Katie Ring (David) of Charleston, S.C. and Chloe Grace White of Lowell, IN; four grandchildren: Alexis and Tessa Ring, Seamus and Declan White; brother Tom White (Debbie) of Round Rock, TX and Pam White of Oak Harbor; also, his brother-in-law Jack Christian of Oak Harbor; his nephew, Joshua Christian of Oak Harbor; two nieces, Carrie White of Houston, TX and Kelly White of Austin, TX. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard “Bud” White in 1997 and by a sister Patty Christian in 2016.
A Celebration of Life will take place in Centennial Hall at First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland Street, Oak Harbor. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.
Donations are suggested to: North Whidbey Help House at 1091 SE Hathaway Street, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.