On January 11, 2021, in Snellville, Georgia, Jon Gates White, loving husband and amazing father of four, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus, after a brief battle with cancer. John 11:25-26 Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Jon Gates White was born in 1938 in Roanoke Virginia to Everlyn Alpheus White and Jewell (Willie) White. His father passed away when he was 2 years old. His mother and brother, Ed, moved to Louisville, Georgia to live with his grandparents. His older brother Al and sister Evelyn remained in Virginia.
Jon (also known to many as Jip) grew up in Louisville Georgia where he enjoyed life in a small town with his grandparents. He married his wife Judy Cranor in 1958. As a young married couple they moved to Atlanta where Jon attended Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). While attending college he served in the United States Army Reserves. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Management. Jon worked at Citizen and Southern Bank (later Bank of America) and retired after 40 years as Senior Vice President Trust Officer. For a brief time, he ventured into commercial real estate and also worked for Barnett Bank in Deland Florida.
Jon always had a passion for fitness. After being an avid tennis player throughout his adult life, he took up golf and bicycling after retiring. He toured many countries via bicycle including England, Ireland, Scotland, China, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Austria, New Zealand and various areas of the United States. On his 70th birthday, he participated in a Coast to Coast Challenge - a bicycle tour from San Diego, California to Saint Simons Island, Georgia. He played golf and continued to mow his yard up until Thanksgiving week before he became sick. He was also very involved with his great grandsons. Attending their baseball games, taking them to the park and having nerf wars with them even at the age of 82.
Jon was baptized as a youth in his hometown of Louisville. He continued in his growth as a follower of Jesus Christ throughout his whole life. He enjoyed his service to church as a member of the UP STREET children’s worship at North Point Church in Alpharetta. For several years he volunteered with Lighthouse Ministries, providing vacations to families of children with cancer.
He had many great friends throughout his life. His friends from his career, golfing, neighbors, service to the church, and many more were all an important part of his life. He very much enjoyed speaking and visiting with many of these friends in his final weeks.
On his sick bed he encouraged everyone to read the Gospel of John. He reminds all of us that the only way to know the Lord is to read your Bible daily. Jon was confident in his faith and assured everyone he would see them in Heaven if they too accepted Jesus as Savior.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judith C White. His children Nancy (Keith) Martens, Julie Cothran, Jon R (Dode) White, and Katie (Dan) Elliott. His grandchildren Michael (Kimberly) Cothran, Kayla (Michael) Wahl, Courtney Cothran, and Kristen (Michael) Robinson. His great grandchildren Baine Cothran, Jude Robinson and Gates Cothran. His brother Edward (Susan) White. Countless extended family and friends that loved and admired him. Jon was preceded in death by his father (1940), his mother (1982), sister Evelyn White (1957) and recently his brother Alpheus L White (2020).
A Celebration of Life service will be held on January 30, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Hebron Baptist Church Dacula GA. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Salvation Army or Samaritans Purse as these was some of his favorite service organizations. Guests attending the service are requested to practice social distancing. ByrdandFlanigan.com
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