Individual Details

Death

STANLEY - Mr. Earl Caldwell White, Jr., age 88, of 7696 Turnberry Lane, Stanley, NC died Saturday, March 1, 2014 after a short illness. His funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2014 at Unity Presbyterian Church in Denver NC with Rev. Carol Clark officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. Thursday at the church prior to the service. A lifelong resident of Charlotte, Mr. White was born on July 11, 1925 at Presbyterian Hospital. He was the son of the late Earl C. White, Sr. and Hannah Dotson White. Raised on Princeton Avenue, he had fond memories of hunting in what is now Freedom Park. After graduating from Central High School he served in the United States Navy during World War II aboard the submarine USS Lapon. Upon his return to the states, he attended NC State and became a surveyor for Duke Power. Soon thereafter he married Pauline Furr in 1948. He joined Carolinas Auto Supply House in the early 50's where he worked for over 50 years. He was President for over 30 years. At the time of his death he was serving as Chairman of the Board. He was a Deacon and an Elder of Unity Presbyterian Church and also active in both Meals on Wheels and the East Lincoln Christian Ministry. He authored a book Carolina Riverboats and Rivers in 2002 outlining the little told tale of canals and steamboats in the Carolinas. He was also a woodworker, an extensive traveler to over 60 countries, a member of the Lake Norman Power Squadron and an active tennis player competing against the august talents of the Dilworth Tennis Group. He taught himself celestial navigation and at one time owned a 32 foot sailboat. He is survived by his wife, Pauline Furr White of the home; two sons, Brent White and wife, Pat of Charlotte and Alan White and wife, Jennifer of Davidson; three daughters, Glynn Strabel and husband, Ed of Palmer, Alaska, Cynthia Cameron and husband, William of Clinton, NC and Ann Warren and husband, Joseph of Mt. Pleasant, SC; one brother, Richard White of Charlotte; one sister, Shirley Benfield of Charlotte; ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Unity Presbyterian Church, 8210 Unity Church Road, Denver, NC 28037 or to East Lincoln Christian Ministries, 4278 Catawba Burris Road, Denver, NC 28037. Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton is serving the White family.
Published in Charlotte Observer on Mar. 4, 2014