John A. White, Jr., 89, of Tenaha, passed away Friday, May 7, 2010 at his home. He was born July 31, 2010 in Tenaha to John A. White, Sr. and Mary Belle Holt White. At the age of 10, John took up the guitar and, in a very short time, was accompanying the local fiddler at dances. At the age of 15, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps and became the camp rhythm guitarist for Camp Maydell, located between Rusk and Palestine. He was a founding member of "The Bluegrass Ramblers" in the early 60's. For years he played extensively all over Texas with some of the best fiddler and banjo players. His love of singing and playing the guitar never ceased. He graduated from Tenaha High School in 1938 and married Mayzell Samford on May 19, 1939. Mr. White worked as a welder in the shipyards in Baltimore, Maryland, and in Houston, before World War II. He was then drafted and served in the US Navy aboard the battleship "USS Mississippi" in the Pacific Theatre, where he was an eyewitness to the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. After the war, Mr. White moved to LaPorte, where he worked as a welder for Shell Oil Company. He was eventually promoted to the position of "welding specialist" and wrote all the weld procedures for pressure equipment for Shell nationwide. In April 1981, Mr. White retired from Shell after 34 years of service and moved to Lake Murvaul, near Gary, where he and Mayzell enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Sunday, May 9, 2010 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, May 10, 2010 at Ramah Baptist Church in Tenaha with Bro. Douglas McDonald and Bro. Keith Keele officiating. Interment will follow at Ramah Cemetery in Tenaha.

Pallbearers will be Cliff Young, Johnny Gibbs, Ronnie Samford, Jack White, Bennie Martin and Chris Pena.

He is survived by:

Daughter, Martha White of Tenaha

Sons:
Michael White of Columbia, Missouri
Joe White & wife Joy of Tenaha

Grandson, Jack White of New York City

Granddaughter, Jodi Pena & husband Chris of Cypress

Four Great Grandchildren

Also numerous nieces and nephews

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com.