Leslie Pittman White

Leslie Pittman White was born May 24, 1932, in Belton, Texas to Charles Kennedy White and Alma Bownds White. He attended Waco schools where he was a diligent student, finishing third in his graduating class. He excelled in track, winning the 880-yard run in District and Regional meets in 1949 and 1950. Both years he qualified for the Texas Relays and the State Meet. He earned an Eagle Scout badge when he was 16.

Les enrolled in The University of Texas where he was proudly a self-supporting student, working an afternoon job and then an evening job at the girl’s dorm for meals. Again, he was a diligent student, earning a Phi Beta Kappa key and receiving the W. A. Tarr Award as the top graduate in his class.

Upon completing his degree, a B.S. in Geology, he went to work for Humble Oil and Refining Co, now ExxonMobil. He often said the best day of his life happened in 1961 when he returned to Corpus Christi on the heels of Hurricane Carla to find a new employee at the office. She was Dianne Marie Gardes, who would become his beloved wife and partner for the rest of his life.

Les loved his geological work. He said it never ceased to be captivating. In 1958 he spent six months on a mapping assignment, camped out in Alaska in sight of Mt. McKinley, flitting around in a small helicopter. He often said this was a highlight of his career. He worked in several localities, both domestic and foreign, before retiring after 36 years.

In 2018 the family donated their ranch land, near Dripping Springs, to the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas to provide field access for teaching and research. It is named the White Family Outdoor Learning Center. He was very proud to be inducted into the Hall of Distinction at the Jackson School in 2019.

Les is survived by family he adored: Dianne, son Leslie Daniel White and daughter-in-law Jana Gay White of Lakeway and grandsons, Travis Gibson White and Jacob Daniel White; daughter Annette Marie Chambers of Austin and grandson Tyler Justice Chambers and granddaughters Kristen Marie Chambers, Rachel Lauren Chambers and Kaitlyn Leigh Chambers. He is also survived by a sister, Linda Wallace Smith of Crosby, Texas.

He was predeceased by his son Andrew Clayton White and by a brother, Charles Kenneth White.

Les requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Dianne and Leslie White Endowed Scholarship Fund at the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin (512-471-5457); please see the link below "Donations" for the option to donate online.