George Edward White, 93, of Huntsville, AL passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Hospice care was provided by Affinity Services.
George was born in Canton, Ohio to Ethel (Weaver) and Harry White. He and his brother Bert grew up in Pennsylvania and upstate New York. George graduated from Ithaca High School in 1949. He studied Mechanical engineering at Cornell University and Canton Business Institute. George also studied Hydraulics/Pneumatics at the University of Alabama/Huntsville leading a 12-member swing arm design group for 15 Launches of the Apollo/Saturn project in Huntsville, AL, and Titusville, FLA (1961-68). After his time with the space program, George continued with Chrysler Corporation (Dodge Truck Division-Design for Steering and Suspension) for 33 years in Detroit Michigan. He led a chassis product design team for Chryler’s first mini-van and received patent acknowledgment from Chrysler for an energy-absorbing steering column among other accomplishments. George was an avid golfer and planned annual golf outings with Chrysler friends to Myrtle Beach and northern Michigan.
Married in Athens, AL in 1960, George was a loving husband to Joanne Poteete White for 64 years. After 17 years in Detroit raising their family, George and Joanne retired back to Huntsville in 1987. Here they enjoyed being near to family and golf through Valley Hill Country Club. They were members of the South Eastern Seniors Golf Association and traveled with other seniors enjoying tournament travel trips. They were a couple of winners in their flights in 1998 and 2005. George had 2 “Hole in 1″‘s in his time on the links. George was known for his fun-loving character, compassionate heart, and persevering adversity. He was loved for gathering his friends for fun and having a martini or two, being a great golf teacher within the family and his great lettering for tournament signs. He and Joanne loved to dance and participate in club activities in retirement. And they enjoyed water skiing on Lake Guntersville in their courtship years.
George was a loving father to 2 daughters, Christy White (David), of Irvine, CA, and Debba White (Dennis Williams) of Atlanta, GA. Uncle to Terry White (Englewood, FL), Lori Robertson (Lansing, NY), Wendy Gellert (Cicero, NY), Darcy Starsia (Gordonsville, VA), and Bart White (Bonita Springs, FL) & Delite Poteete Fedusenko (Prattville, AL). Grandpa to Kate (Shane) Baker, Brad (Val) Williams, Caroline Williams (Wilson), Panama City, FL. Triple G (Great Grandpa George) to Isla, Benjamin, and Elena (Atlanta, GA). Loving cousin to the Harlow, Fikes, Albrecht, Stewart, and Poteete families in Athens & Elkmont, AL.
Cremation by Berryhill Funeral Home. A family graveside service will be held at Athens Cemetery in the fall during cooler temperatures. Please leave condolences or a happy memory in the guestbook to celebrate George’s life. To contact the family email cswchristy@gmail.com Follow this link : (we will supply a link in a day or two) for a photo tribute of George’s life.
