Gary Hon White, passed away peacefully on Tuesday January 17, 2023 in Draper, Utah, at the age of 89, marking the end of an era. Born October 8, 1933 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Mahonri Kenneth White and Ada Marie Sparks White, the elder son of their four surviving children. He grew up in East Millcreek, Utah, where he helped his father maintain their farm, was a member of the Grandview Ward, and graduated from Granite High School in 1951. He joined the United States Marine Corps, and was based at El Toro Air Station in California when he married his high school sweetheart Georgianne Poulsen on October 24, 1952, later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple. He was transferred to the MCAS at Cherry Point, North Carolina, and reached the rank of Technical Sergeant in the Air Wing serving as a navigator transporting troops across the Pacific during the Korean Conflict. After receiving his Honorable Discharge, he enrolled in the University of Utah, where he studied concrete tilt up technology, eventually becoming one of the local pioneers in this type of construction. After graduating in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, he became a Certified Land Surveyor, and founded his first two companies, Gary H. White Construction & Engineering, and in 1964, White Concrete Products Inc., which provided ready mix concrete throughout the region. He launched a long career in commercial development, starting with designing and building Central Industrial Park in Millcreek. He stood on big shoulders, following his father, one of the most successful housing developers in Utah history. Gary continued his father’s legacy at White Investment, White City Water and the White Land Company. Land is the only thing they don’t make more of, he liked to say. He invested in shopping centers, restaurants and hotels throughout the nation. He also co-founded the Holladay Bank and Trust. A diligent worker, focused and precise, he enjoyed taking rides, seeing the results of his labor, and always asking, “what are we going to do next?”
Gary and Georgianne had four children together, later divorcing after twenty-five years of marriage. On December 7, 1979, he married Patricia Margaret Giles, with whom he built Cedaredge Farms, where they raised champion American Saddlebred horses and thoroughbred race horses, many of which went on to stand in the winners’ circle at racetracks across the west. Gary was happiest on horseback, and loved sharing his experiences with his horse club friends. He and Patricia collected buggies and carriages, sending out beautiful Christmas greetings of being pulled in one of their antique sleighs. He also had a lifelong love of boats: on the lakes and in the ocean, you could hear the musical horns as Gary entered the bay, which always brought smiles to his children. He enjoyed camping, golf, skiing, bowling, world travel--all the good things in life. He even caught a marlin off the coast of Mexico. To the surprise of many, when well into his 80s, Gary bought a Jeep Wrangler and participated in 4-wheel drive clubs, climbing the red rocks of southern Utah. He had dashing good looks, always dressed in a button-down collared shirt and leather shoes, a class act from start to finish. He had a brilliant mind, with vision and foresight, and was a steady hand at the helm. He never stopped believing in something greater than himself. Until his final breath, he was proud to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As the last of a group which left their handprint all over the valleys, his shoes will be hard to fill.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Gloria (Herbert) Halliday, Joyce (Ward) Jackson and Kenneth Franklin White. He is survived by his wife Patricia, his four children with Georgianne -- Robin Anne Young, Lisa Dawn Maden, Gary Stephen (Jennifer) White, and Patrick Kennedy White – Patricia’s two children, Teresa (Brett) Wilkins and Jeffrey Thomas Lucas, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday January 23, 2023 at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park & Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Dr, Millcreek, UT 84106, with a viewing held the one hour prior.
