Joseph Howard White, 82, passed away on September 16, 2015, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, September 17, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., on Friday, September 18, at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, Tennessee 37040. A graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m., on September 18 at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Clarksville, with Rev. Sam Carothers officiating.
After he graduated from Clarksville High School, Howard earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering in 1955. Following his graduation he honorable serviced in the U.S. Army.
Despite the ongoing challenges of Parkinson’s Disease, Howard lived a long and active life. While living in Clarksville, Howard was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church. He relocated to Knoxville after retiring to be nearer to his grandchildren. He eventually settled in Mt. Juliet, where his daily care was managed by his loving wife Jean for the last several years.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Jean Comperry White, children David J. White of Nashville, Laura Berube (Steve) of Knoxville and Jackie McKay (Michael) of Plano, Texas, sister Helen White Butler (Jim), and grandchildren Rachel Berube Geist (David) of Atlanta, Jonathan Berube (Brittney) of Pearland, Texas and Ryan Berube of Atlanta, and great grandson Aiden Joseph Geist of Atlanta. Howard was preceded in death by son Joseph Stephen White and parents Joseph Nicholas White and Kathleen Watts White.
Howard’s family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Peter Hedera and the neurology department at the Vanderbilt Medical Center for their faithful and attentive treatment and support for Howard through the years. In addition, his family wishes to thank the staff of Alive Hospice for providing kind and compassionate care for Howard during his last few weeks.
A devoted husband, son, brother and father, Howard was quiet and unpretentious, always focusing on things that really mattered, such as his faith and family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Howard’s memory to Christian Academy of Knoxville, 529 Academy Way, Knoxville, Tennessee 37923.