Larry P White

Larry Preston White, age 71, of Gulfport, MS, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 22, 2016, after a hard fought 4-year battle with cancer. Larry was born on September 23, 1944 to Clyde and Effie Cox White in Warren, Arkansas. After moving with his family in his early childhood from Hermitage, AR, Larry attended Monticello High School in Monticello, AR where he graduated in May 1962. Following high school, Larry entered the U.S. Air Force where he served for 29 years until his retirement as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1991. Larry began his U.S. Air Force career as a Judge Advocate Court Stenographer and later became part of the 2nd and 7th Air Force Command’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Team that took him throughout the Pacific theater. Larry’s professional career took him across the globe with multiple tours of duty at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines Islands, Vietnam, Korea, Okinawa, Spain and Hawaii, and numerous temporary duty assignments around the world. Larry was a Vietnam veteran and served in Vietnam at Phan Rang AFB in 1967 and 1968 in support of the Tactical Fighter and Bomber Wing Commands and opted to return to Clark AFB, PI at the end of his tour. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Larry returned to his hometown of Monticello, where he met the love of his life, Carol Adams. Larry and Carol were married on December 31, 1992 in Monticello. Larry and Carol shared an adventurous spirit and love of travel, which set them on the road to traveling and touring most if not all of the states in the continental U.S. Larry and Carol also shared a great love of family and especially enjoyed doting on their grandchildren. Larry was fortunate to be able to enjoy several recent visits with his family and grandchildren in his last days. Larry was preceded in death by his wife Carol, his parents, Clyde and Effie White, and one brother, Roger White. Larry is survived by his son, Ray Douglas White and wife Carla of Little Elm, TX, and stepchildren Megan Adams Galan and husband Tony of Chesapeake, VA, and Luke Adams and wife, Irene of Fayetteville, AR. Larry is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, of whom he was so proud, granddaughters Sloane White of Portland, OR, Lucy and Ester Galan of Chesapeake, VA, and grandsons Cole and Jacob Adams of Fayetteville, AR. Larry is survived by 4 brothers, Robert (Bob) White of Hot Springs, AR, Ray White of Flower Mound, TX, Ted White of Monticello, Nick White of Broken Arrow, OK and 2 sisters Joye White Cooper of Paris, AR and Paulette White Sutton of Monticello. Burial services with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the www.cancerresearch.org (800) 99-CANCER (800-992-2623), or a cancer fighting non-profit of your choice. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com