Mr. Thomas Pryor (T.P.) White

Thomas Pryor (T. P.) White, 94, of Jacksonville, died August 27, 2015. He was born on Oct 15, 1920 in Yeagar, OK, attended schools in Yeagar and the University of Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Pauline Brooks White and grandson, Tyler Cypress. Survivors include daughters Dixie (Raymond) Smith of Broken Arrow, OK, Vicki (Randy) Erwin of Little Rock, AR, and Peggy (Carlos) Stacy of West Plains, MO, five grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren and cousin Eutha Bankston.

T. P. was raised in the oil fields of Oklahoma. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a car dealer who attributed much of his success to loyal customers through the years. After completing his Army service at Camp Robinson he decided to make his home in Arkansas in 1946. He spent the rest of his life helping to build Jacksonville. He was past president of the first booster club, Round-Up Club, Lion’s Club, Sertoma Club and the Employees Federal Credit Union. He served on the City Council, worked to get the city water-sewer back to city ownership, chaired the commission to build the new jail and assisted the Fire Department in maintaining upgrades. In 1952 he helped start the Jacksonville City Planning Commission. He served 34 years, under 5 different mayors and was chairman for 21 years. He also served on Metro-plan for many years. He helped found the Chamber of Commerce and enjoyed organizing and served as Parade Marshall of the annual Christmas Parade for 25 years. He was chosen Sertoman of the Year in 1992, helped start other Sertoma Clubs and chaired 2 golf tournaments. This year Sertoma awarded a scholarship in his honor. He was Chairman of the Marshall L. Smith Memorial Playground Committee and helped to raise funds to update the Dupree Park playground. T. P. had many interests including his family, traveling, boating, horses and golf. He helped found Foxwood Country Club and served as President. He was a long time member of Pathfinder and has a Pathfinder Services for the Disabled facility named in his honor in Haskell, AR. T.P. joined the First Baptist Church in 1947 where is served as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, member of the building committee and was currently a trustee. There will be a memorial service honoring his life at 3 p.m., Saturday, August 29, at the First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, AR led by Brother Cliff Hutchins. The family will receive friends at a visitation (1:30 p.m.) preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Building Fund. The family wishes to express their heart felt gratitude to the staff and Fox Ridge Living Center in North Little Rock and the Palliative Care Support Teams at UAMS and the Veterans Hospital for all of their loving care and support. Please visit www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com to sign the online guest book.