Major Michael Francis White

Major Michael Francis White USAF (ret.) passed away on Friday, March 25, 2022 surrounded in love by his family and his wife of 58 years, Barbara. He leaves behind his children, Rachael (Peter Asher), Kenneth (Amanda Douglas), Michele (Andrew Marriott); his grandsons Blake White, Colton Koch, great-granddaughter Marlee White; siblings Ray, John, James, Mary Jo, Kathy and Liz; and the many in-laws, friends, neighbors, military brothers and co-workers who traveled with him on his life’s journey. He is preceded in death by parents Ray and Mabel and brother Tom. Mike was born to Ray and Mabel White in Norfolk, Virginia and attended Norfolk Catholic High School and the College of Williams and Mary. In 1963, he proudly chose to serve his country and became an officer in the United States Air Force. During his 21 years of service, he spent the majority of his career as a Navigator in the F-4 Phantom and completed 155 combat missions with the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, “Satan’s Angels”, in Ubon, Thailand. Mike was very proud to have been awarded numerous medals, highlighted by his being 4-times awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, along with the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Humanitarian Service Medal to name but a few. After retiring from service in 1984, he embarked on a new career with TRW as a systems analyst, retiring for a second time in 2004. His love for people and dogs inspired him to make frequent visits and contributions to the food pantry at St. Olaf Catholic Church and to the Heritage Humane Society from which he found and adopted his beloved best fur-friend, Paddington. His love of the outdoors was always a respite for him, where he kept his bird feeders full, gardens plentiful and the grill always fired-up. His passing has left a huge void in all of those lives he touched as well as the hearts of those who loved him so much. Barbara wishes to thank family, friends and the medical community for their kindness and assistance with this difficult time. A Celebration of Life will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188 on May 07, 2022 at 2:00 pm In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his name to The Wounded Warrior Project at https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaign/InMemoryOf-MajMichaelFWhite-USAF-ret OR www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. Donations will be generously matched by the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, who once performed in the F-4 Phantom aircraft.