George Melvin White

George Melvin White, 92, beloved husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa, passed away in his sleep on the early morning hours of December 3, 2022. As he had hoped, he passed while in his home of over 60 years, under the care of his daughter.

George was born December 20, 1929, in Brookfield, MO, to Charles and Lucile (Springer) White. Other than briefly living in Kansas City, KS as an infant, he and his two younger siblings, Charles and Jenelle, grew up in Brookfield, where he played basketball for, and graduated from, Brookfield High School in 1947. In a particularly proud moment for the family, George was awarded the school’s Citizenship Trophy! Unfortunately, not long after he graduated, his father Charles, passed away. His mother, Lucile, would later remarry Clarence Reams, and George became step-siblings with Frances, Ralph and Virginia Reams.

George attended Central Methodist College where he met his wife of over 45 years, Caroline Lee Carter, of Salisbury, MO. Together they attended Central, but due to the Korean Conflict, George was drafted by the US Army, but instead enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He trained at Camp LeJeune, N.C., and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. and in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

While stationed at Camp LeJeune, George and Caroline welcomed their first child, Deborah Lynn White. It would be eight years later, in Independence, MO, when their second child, Randall Carter White, was born. Both still currently reside in the area, with Deborah now living in the family home.

After leaving the Marine Corp, he and Caroline returned to college at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, and George continued studying Chemistry. Following college, George’s first “real job” was as a chemist for a chemical plant in Kansas City. However, he would soon begin a 34-year career with Bendix - Kansas City Plant. Initially, he used his chemistry background in the Labs, but later moved in the Quality Division where he would spend the balance of his career in Supplier Quality control, travelling for a number of years, visiting suppliers and ensuring the quality of procured parts.

During his career with Bendix, George was very involved in both his children’s lives, coaching and attending sports events, ensuring their academic success, and taking part in their social activities, including Boy Scouts, and guiding their spiritual development.

He also made many life-long friends around the country and locally while at Bendix. He liked hunting and fishing with friends, as well as watching professional sports. It was also during this time that he developed his love of photography, which he would practice up until his final years.

After many years of frequent travel, he moved into a supervisory role and managed a team of field quality representatives around the US. In 1994, he retired from what was then AlliedSignal (later Honeywell).

Following AlliedSignal, George began a consulting practice to the Aerospace industry. It was during this time his wife Caroline suffered the first of several debilitating strokes. This not only ended his consulting practice, but heavily impacted their retirement travel plans. In April of 1997, Caroline passed away.

Later, George would start a long and close friendship with Rose Miller, a long-time neighbor and friend of the family. Through many years in his seventies and early eighties, he and Rose travelled to several places in the US, and attended many family events with both of their respective families. George and Rose very much enriched each other’s later years until her untimely passing.

Preceding George in death were his wife, Caroline White; later-years partner, Rose Miller; parents Charles and Lucile White; stepfather Clarence Reams; brother, Charles White; step-brother, Ralph Reams; and step-sister, Virginia Reams. He is survived by his two children, Deborah White of Independence, MO, and Randall White and his wife Cheryll Lurtz of Lake Winnebago, MO, his sister Mrs. Elwyn T. (Jenelle) Fresh of Lee’s Summit, MO, and step-sister Mrs. Ted (Frances) Carlson of South Port, NC.

George also leaves behind six grandchildren, Megan White, Marissa White, Dr. Meghaan (Lurtz) Burdett, Michael Lurtz, Marshall Lurtz, and Matthew Lurtz, and two great-grandchildren, Lleona Burdett and Charllotte Burdett, as well as eight nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Floral Hills, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO, from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022, with funeral services at 2 p.m., immediately followed by on-site military honors and interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Village Hospice.