Robert C. White, Jr.

Robert Collins White, Jr., or Bob as he was known to many, was born November 8, 1933, in Udall, Missouri to Robert Collins White, Sr. and Daisy A. (Ferguson) White. He passed from this earth after a short illness on September 14, 2021.
Bob was a man of many interests and talents. More than anything he enjoyed working with young people and helping them build leadership skills and strong character through sports. For the last thirty years he volunteered to coach young men and women in Olympic style weightlifting. Many of his Team Metro went on to win local and national championships and even to compete in the Olympics and World Games. Bob competed as a weightlifter his self, winning numerous championships, most recently a Bronze Medal in the World Games held in New Zealand. Bob competed in the Pan Am games, USA National Championships and traveled the world competing. Bob’s love of coaching extended to much more than the weight room. He also coached many baseball and softball teams including the Women’s team for McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church and is honored in the Softball Hall of Fame. Before graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Mechanical Engineering degree, he pitched for the OU Baseball team. As a young man, Bob was a pitcher for semi-pro baseball teams in the summer and various sports while in school. He often tells the story of playing pool locally to “earn” enough money to take Bonnie out for their first date.
Bob and Bonnie were very active in the community and enjoyed a number of activities together. He painted images from their trips to Santa Fe, he supported Bonnie in her quilting expeditions and they both enjoyed visiting family in Kansas every summer. The couple served as Greeters for McFarlin UMC for many years as well as other serving roles within the church. Many people in the community were touched by Bob’s kindness, quick wit and generosity.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie of the home; parents; and two brothers, Wendell White and Benjamin White of Kansas.
He is survived by his son, Gregory Mark White and his partner, Harriet Bohanan; daughter, Lea Ann Pickett; daughter-in-law, Margaret White; grandchildren, Cole and Kelly White and their mother Julie LaCroix, Collin Pickett, Mandi Lacher; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Mackenzie, Emma Lou Lacher; brothers, Ronald White and his wife, Lorrie of Arizona, Randy White and his wife, Linda; sister, Nancy Welling; a host of nieces, nephews and many friends.