TITLE: In memory of Samuel Alvin White.

SUMMARY: In memory of Samuel Alvin White.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Wood County lost a beloved resident with the death of Samuel Alvin White of Quitman on July 30, 2017, at the age of 88; and WHEREAS, The son of Buena and Oscar White, Sam White was born on November 14, 1928, near the Cana and Myrtle Springs communities; he grew up with three older sisters, Oleta, Lavelle, and Ozella, and attended schools in Wood County; in 1952, he joined the United States Army, and he served with the 52nd Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in Japan and Korea; he went on to study machining and welding at Tyler Junior College, and for three decades, he worked in the oilfield for Caska, which later became Farmland Industries; and WHEREAS, Mr. White shared a fulfilling marriage of more than 55 years with his wife, Jimmie Jo White, until her passing in 2010; he was the proud father of a son, Shannon, and a daughter, Sheree, and he delighted in his four grandsons, Michael, Shawn, Brian, and Cody, and his nine great-grandchildren, Brooke, Katelyn, Abbey, and Macy Mize, Taylor, Lainey, and Samuel White, and Rylan and Rhett Lester, who knew him affectionately as "SamPaw"; he was also deeply devoted to his nieces and nephews; and WHEREAS, An active member of Myrtle Springs Baptist Church, Mr. White expressed his profound faith through countless kind acts; he gave generously of his time and financial resources in behalf of many worthy causes, and he volunteered his considerable talent as a chef at hundreds of fund-raisers for local organizations, including the Quitman Volunteer Fire Department, the Masonic Lodge, the Alba-Golden Independent School District schools, the Wood County Agriculture Show, and various veterans' groups; especially known for his stew, he cooked a batch for every Hainesville Volunteer Fire Department benefit for 36 years, beginning with the inaugural event, and was designated as the group's honorary fire chief; he once prepared a 135-gallon stew for 800 people who arrived via wagon train in celebration of the Texas sesquicentennial; in his free time, he enjoyed gardening and watching old Westerns; he had a great store of knowledge about history, a wonderful sense of humor, and a gift for storytelling; and WHEREAS, Sam White is deeply missed by all who were privileged to share in the richness of his life, and his contributions to his community will be remembered and admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Sam White and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Samuel Alvin White. Hughes President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on August 10, 2017, by a rising vote.