Thomas Albert White was born November 15, 1933, in Twin Bridges, Missouri, to Allman and Bertha (Bunch) White on the farm that was homesteaded by his grandfather. He passed away on December 28, 2024 at his home.
Tom attended grade school at Round Top School through 8th grade, then went to high school in Willow Springs. He was born with a hip defect that was made worse when he fell during his freshman year, fracturing his hip. He spent the next 10 months at Columbia Children’s Hospital recovering. Tom was a very determined boy and did not let that hip slow him down. He went back to high school the next fall and joined the football team. The boys finished the season as SCA champs with a 36-game winning streak, defeating West Plains at the state championship Ozarks Bowl. Tom graduated high school in 1953.
As a young man, Tom enlisted in the army, serving during the Korean War. He was very proud to have served his country, often sharing stories with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren about his time in the service. When he returned home after his time in the service, he worked in farming and logging, which he loved. Tom was a very talented woodworker and craftsman, later completing most of the wood features in the family home by hand.
In 1956 Tom married the love of his life, Sue Nielsen, and enjoyed 68 years of marriage. They were blessed with three sons- David, Doug, and Dirk. It was during this time, at a revival at Big Springs Church, that Tom accepted God as his Lord and Savior, and remained a faithful servant until his last breath. He loved to read and study the Bible. He taught Sunday School for more than 60 years, until he lost his eyesight, and his health deteriorated.
During the 1960s, Tom and Sue moved to Union, Oregon with their boys, where Tom worked at the State Experiment Farm. This is where he was introduced to working with Brown Swiss cattle and purchased his first herd. In 1973, when they decided to return to Missouri, Tom transported the cattle by train, riding alongside and caring for them the whole way home. He was very well-known for his Swiss cattle. He and his boys showed cattle at the fair for several years. Tom continued in dairy farming for more than 50 years despite continual issues with his hip and enduring five hip surgeries throughout his life. The family was very blessed to have workers who helped with the milking and other farm work over the years.
Anyone who ever spent time with Tom on the farm knew that he loved his work. He could often be heard whistling, singing, yodeling, and shouting “boys, boys, boys” to his cattle. Tom was also a very talented gardener and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how and when to plant things. He was particularly proud of his Yukon Gold potatoes. The family enjoyed many Sunday dinners with food grown in the garden, where Tom would always close the blessing by saying, “Dive in, boys”.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents Allman and Bertha White, his son Douglas White, brother Fred (Dorris) White, sisters Joe (Robert) Morris, Eunice (Harold) Adams, Beulah (Earl) Elliot, Grace (Chester) Elliot, and Lena (Sam) Maynard.
He is survived by his wife Sue of the home, his sons David (Jean Ann) and Dirk, and daughter-in-law Bonnie White. He was blessed with grandchildren Keenon Aguero, Quincey Hatch (Tim), Samantha White (Tyson), Austin White (Hayley), Nova White, Russell Askew (Krystal), Tyler Askew (Maeghan), Blake Askew (Haley Jo), and great-grandchildren Brayden, Dawson, Jaylin, Miles, Oakley, Madison, Grady, Wade, Charley, Clay, and Clara.
A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Yarber Mortuary, Willow Springs, Missouri, with Pastor Doug Brower and Pastor Stasey Sheppard officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11:00 a.m. also at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Thornton-Roosevelt Cemetery in Twin Bridges, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, Thornton-Roosevelt Cemetery, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
