Bobby Gerald White

Bobby Gerald White was born on April 23, 1955, to Alton and Icy (Cherry) White in Lubbock, Texas. He was the youngest of nine children: two girls and seven boys. Bobby was preceded in death by both of his parents, his sisters who passed before his birth, and five of his beloved brothers.  

Bobby spent his childhood growing up in Dallas where he would forge friendships that lasted a lifetime. His parents would separate and eventually divorce when he was a young boy; his mother, Icy, would then raise the seven boys alone. 

“Far between sundown's finish and midnight's broken toll, we ducked inside a doorway as thunder went crashing.

As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds.

Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing”

Bobby would meet his first wife, Betty (Cawthon), and they would have two children. When he was 17, his son, Bobby Jr., was born. Two years later, his daughter, Marsha, was born. Teenage sweethearts to teenage parents, Bobby and Betty would not finish high school. 

Bobby would start his first job as a shoeshine boy on a dusty Denton Drive across from Love Field Airport.  He would go on to work many jobs during those early years, struggling to support his family. Then life took a turn: after 17 years of marriage, he found himself in prison. He would spend the next two years behind bars earning a GED and both plumbing/electrician licenses that would serve him well after he was released and for the rest of his career.  

While life was a struggle during those early years, he never gave up and his children never went without. So many happy memories and joyous occasions amidst the hardships of life. 

“Tolling for the rebel, tolling for the rake

Tolling for the luckless, they abandoned and forsake
Tolling for the outcast, burning constantly at stake
And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing”

After his release, he found comfort in a kindred spirit: Connie (Pugh). They would spend the next 27 years living life on their terms. Connie had two children from previous marriages: Jeff Graham and Keisha White. Bobby would step up and fill the role as a father once more. Connie passed away from Alzheimer’s. Bobby would care for her until the end.

Bobby was a character; he always had a smile and always had a joke until later when hardships became more unbearable. While his spirit and good nature was still there, he was becoming a bit rough around the edges. Hard lives can wear down even the shiniest of diamonds.

Bobby leaves behind his four children, ten grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.

Per their wishes, a Casting Ceremony will be held at a later date at Surfside Beach, Texas for Bobby and Connie White. They will be reunited where the waves and sands meet… where the sun and breeze dance!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bobby Gerald White, please visit our floral store.