John Nelson White, Jr.

John Nelson White, Jr. passed away after a short illness on December 5, 2017 in Covenant Hospital, Lubbock, TX at the age of 72. A military service will be held on January 5, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery (11463 State Highway 195, Killeen, TX) and a Celebration of Life will be held Jan. 7, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at Victory Baptist Church (1959 South Hwy 14, Groesbeck, TX.) John was born on July 16, 1945 to John Nelson White Sr. and Carrie Gresham in Winnsboro, South Carolina. He joined the Army in 1962 and retired after 20 years of service as a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO2). He served 2 years in Vietnam, Japan, Germany, Panama, Korea and several posts in the states. During his years of service, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Medal w/clasp-bronze-3 loops; National Defense Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon w/Numerals 3: Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Silver and 1 Bronze Service Star; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Combat Medical Badge; and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm. At Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1969, John met Rose Brock who was also in the army and stationed there. They were united in marriage in her hometown in Molalla (near Portland), Oregon on November 14, 1969. After their marriage, Rose chose civilian life, and followed John while he was stationed in Korea and Panama and other places in the U.S. While stationed at Ft Sam Houston, San Antonio, John completed the Physician Assistant course, graduating in 1975 with a degree from Baylor. After retiring, he worked as a Medical and Safety Officer for several off-shore drilling companies before taking a Physician Assistant position in south Texas. Moving to Groesbeck in 1998, he accepted a position with Rettig Family Health Care, and later with Falls Community Hospital assigned to the FCHC Rucker Clinic, Mart Texas. He retired after 50 plus years in medicine to enjoy his hobbies, which included fishing, hunting, playing his guitar, traveling and seeing his grandchildren. He was an active member of Victory Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon and Assistant Music Director. He loved to play and sing the old gospel hymns. He was also an active member in Legacy Outfitters whose motto is Building Men, Building Families, Building Legacies. He attended the Pistol and Rifle Shooting Focus Group and the Legacy Bass Club. John was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife Doris Rose (Brock) White of Groesbeck; son John N. White III and wife Carrie of Wake Forest, North Carolina; son Mathew J. White of Lubbock, Texas; his aunt Fannie Sims of Ridgeway, South Carolina; sisters Barbara Moore of Rockingham, NC, Patsy Lindler of Columbia, SC, Dorothy Padgett of Orangeburg, SC, and brother James Lane of Holly Hill, SC; 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. Anyone wishing to make donations in honor of Mr. White may consider the family's recommendation of "U.S.O.", % Victory Baptist Church, P. O. Box 685, Groesbeck, TX 76642