Samuel W. White Jr. (90) “Sam” to all who knew him died Monday, February 15. Sam loved his family, his friends, his community and his country. He grew up in Evanston, Ill., went on to Harvard College 40, Harvard Business School 42, and was an officer in the U.S. Navy for 4 years during World War II.
Sam married Stephanie Day, also from Evanston, in 1942. They had three girls – Anne (deceased April 2009), Happy and Carolyn, and enjoy five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The Whites are a closely knit, loving family who enjoy holidays and summer vacations together.
Sam retired to Tryon in 1980 and became active in most community activities – president of the Tryon Fine Arts Center and the Community Foundation, a founder of Pacolet Conservancy, devoted supporter of FENCE, longstanding member of the Palmer-Jervey Society of St. Lukes Hospital, active member of the Mens Golf Group of Tryon Country Club, and trustee of the Congregational Church of Tryon. His favorite activity was the Rotary Club of Tryon — his unstoppable sense of humor added spice to many Thursday meetings.
Sam spent his business years with The Oliver Farm Equipment Co. in Chicago, becoming president at age 41. He moved to Cleveland with White Motor Corp. as executive vice president and ended up as president of a joint venture between Borg Warner Corp. and Toyota in Nagoya, Japan, where he and Stephanie spent 2 years.
The family summered on Echo Island on Rainy Lake in Ontario, Canada. While at their island, Sam founded the Rainy Lake Conservancy, one of the rare island conservancies in North America. Sam was working to protect “Echo” with a conservation easement to keep it in the same rustic state as today. He was an accomplished swimmer and white water canoeist. He made several trips to wilderness areas winding up the last one in Hudsons Bay, Canada.
Sam and Stephanie moved to Tryon Estates in 2000. Sam enjoyed the many activities and took pride in chairing the Christmas Fund Committee in 2009. Both Sam and Stephanie are grateful for the excellent care and nursing provided by the medical wing of Tryon Estates and Hospice of the Carolina Foothills for their loving and professional care.
Sam will be missed by his many friends in Polk County. He loved life and lived it with intelligence and enthusiasm.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m, Friday, February 19, 2010 in the Congregational Church of Christ, Tryon, with Dr. Robert Barrows and Rev. Ralph Kuether officiating.
An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com
McFarland Funeral Chapel Tryon.