In the week leading up to my birthday celebration, I have been thinking a lot about my children. My grandchildren have also been foremost in my mind.
The eldest, Dr. John C. White, a Baylor alumnus and a tenured university professor at EKU. John is one of the world’s foremost experts on volcanoes. His specialties include igneous petrology, geochemistry, and volcanology. John’s offspring are Wesley White and William White. Wesley’s grave is in Alpine, Texas.
My second-born was the only child born out of state. James was born in Norwalk, Connecticut. If alive today, James would claim only Texas. James began his medical career as an EMT. He quickly realized he wanted to do more and became a paramedic. While working on critical life-saving cases, he viewed the vital work of ER nurses. His next goal was to become a registered nurse. His preferred work quickly became trauma cases. He served in the Parkland ER for nine years. His mother and I were not aware of James’ reputation. James died in his sleep. He was on a sofa in a friend’s home. He was comforting the friend, whose wife had died. After his death, medical professionals from Fort Worth to Greenville, Texas spoke to his mother and me. They described James’ exploits working as an emergency room nurse. James maintained his paramedic license which allowed him to go beyond the legal limitations of a registered nurse. James’ children include Katie White and Jacob White, both outstanding students. Katie majors in criminal justice. Jacob plans to become a registered nurse. Jacob is also an amazing jazz trombonist.
My third child is David White. David became a certified chef who, to this day, performs magic with food. He left the food business to join me in our business, Rockwall Controls Company, Inc. David was in charge of project construction and the most amazing technician I have ever known. His gift of completing successful complex tasks quickly always amazed me. David served two terms on the Rockwall City Council. David stood out while on the City Council. He actually read the City Charter. He researched pertinent laws. He added great value to council actions. David is now a grandfather. His first grandchild, Jaylee, loves to cuddle into his beard. David married late in life, and he married well. He is a self-taught welder, a man of many skills.
Raising our three sons and fostering three boys gave me a yearning for a daughter. I prayed earnestly for a girl. While Frances was in labor, the delivery room nurse came to inform me of the progress. She asked, “What are you expecting, a girl or a boy?” I answered confidently, “This child is a girl.” The nurse explained how she had worked in the delivery room for eleven years. Her experience taught her to predict the gender by the baby’s heartbeat. She confidently told me, ” This child is a boy.” I confidently stated, “No, this child is a girl.” Later, baby Mary saw daylight. Afterward, the nurse emerged to say, “This is the first time I have ever been wrong.” Mary has given me two wonderful granddaughters, Mary Claire and Anna Jane. The two girls are twelve years apart in age. Mary has been guiding a Classical Conversations Home School community in Rockwall. She did this throughout the growing years of her girls. Mary was promoted to oversee several other Classical Conversations communities. The elder daughter is now a teacher.
Today, November 27, 2024, I give thanks to God for my wonderful children and grandchildren. My quiver is full.
Naturally, the children were the product of a wonderful marriage. At the age of ten, I consciously decided to never have girlfriends. This decision withstood the test of time. At the end of my senior year, I went on a band trip to San Antonio, Texas. During this trip, I met the girl I had been waiting for. Spring 2025 will mark 59 years of a lifelong love affair. We celebrated 55 years of marriage last August.
Over the years, God has given me spiritual adoptions.
Qui invenit mulierem bonam invenit bonum, et hauriet jucunditatem a Domino. Proverbia 18:22
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 