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Rotary Club of Beaumont

Resolution of Memorial Tribute

In Memory of

Jerry Carl White

1931 - 2010

Jerry Carl White, a native son of Southeast Texas, was born May 8, 1931, in Beaumont's Hotel Dieu to Thenoba Gwendolyn Boyett White and Jacob Carl "Jake" White.  A Paul Harris Fellow, Jerry was an active member of the Rotary Club of Beaumont since March 1991.  A Rotarian whose life reflected that he lived by the Rotary Four-way test even longer than his years as a Rotarian, Jerry Carl White was honored posthumously on March 9, 2011 with Rotary Club of Beaumont's T. Kelsey Lamb Ethics Award.  Jerry Carl White passed away at age 79 on December 20, 2010; but just the mention of his name reminds Rotarians of his twinkling eyes, his smile, his humor, his quick step, and his White Tire uniform at every meeting except when he volunteered to read the Memorial Resolution of his mentor and friend Dr. J. D. Landes, who had been Jerry's beloved professor at Lamar.  And, oh the questions that Jerry asked!

 

A graduate of South Park High School, Jerry attended both Rice University and Lamar.  Jerry, a cum laude graduate, was a proud member of Lamar College of Technology's first four-year class, serving that historical Lamar graduating class of 1953 as its vice-president.  But Jerry's thirst for knowledge did not end with a diploma.  For Jerry, learning became an extension of his passion for life.  Because he was an analytical listener, Jerry brilliantly formulated questions that needed to be asked whether at home or church or Rotary or of his industry!  

 

Jerry's dedication to Beaumont is tied to his becoming an integral part of the family business, White Tire Supply, founded by his father in 1938.  Jerry's journey with White Tire Supply started when he was eleven years old.  Over the years he served in all capacities of service and leadership at White Tire Supply.  Following his father's death in the early 1970's, Jerry was named President and remained President until 2005, the year that Jerry became President Emeritus of White Tire Supply.  Jerry's journey at White Tire ended sixty-eight years after he first started in the family business.that last day being December 20, 2010.  

 

Within his profession, Jerry served on the following Board of Directors:

·              Texas Tire Dealers Association

·              National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence

·              National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association (now Tire Industry Association)

 

Honors received within Jerry White's profession included the following:

·              The very first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Tire Dealers Association

·              2010 Inductee into the Tire Industry Association's Hall of Fame

 

Over the years, besides sharing his leadership within his profession, Jerry also shared it within the community as member of the Boards of Beaumont Better Business Bureau and Southeast Texas Air Quality.  In addition, Jerry served within First Christian Church as a Sunday school teacher, elder, and Bible scholar.

 

Jerry enjoyed a plethora of hobbies: family, travel, food, wine, cars, music, lifelong learning and more. 

 

Survivors from Jerry's life that has been defined as "an adventure" include his wife of forty-seven years, Norma Plettman White; son Joe Carl White and his wife Anne; son David Bruce White and his wife Lauren; grandchildren, Kate, Rebekah and Benjamin White, all of Houston; brother, Walter White of Austin; and sister, Gwen Kunz of Houston; and many, many friends: friendships formed on trips that Jerry and Norma made around the world; his customers who became his friends; and especially his fellow Rotarians.

 

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that the members of the Rotary Club of Beaumont express sorrow at the death of Jerry Carl White and mourn the loss of a man whose brilliant mind was always able to provide a concise, thought-provoking question for every speaker at Rotary.holding every speaker accountable and helping all in attendance to become more knowledgeable of every subject and part of Jerry's quest as a lifelong learner.

 

And, Be it Further Resolved that this resolution is spread across the minutes of this Rotary Club, and that a copy be furnished to his family.

 

Passed by unanimous vote of the membership this the 25^th day of May 2011.

 

Approved:

 

________________________________,       ________________________________,             

Bobbie Applegate                                            Cynthia A. Wolf, Chair

President                                                          Resolutions & Memorials Committee

 

Attest:

 

________________________________,        ________________________________,

Vernon Pierce                                                   Jacque Chapman

Secretary                                                           Executive Director