Donald (Don) Stuart White passed away at the age of 87 on Dec. 28, 2017, at his home on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Fla. A private burial service was held on Jan. 2, at All Saints Cemetery in Jensen Beach.
Don was born on July 22, 1930, in Chicago, Ill. His parents were Homer and Avis White and he had an older sister Betty Alcock whom he adored.
He is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild. His surviving children are Melissa Coutant, Michael White (spouse Elaine), and Michele Chambers (spouse Ken). His surviving grandchildren are Jason Coutant, Gabrielle Coutant, Brandon Coutant, Jered White, Bradley White, Troy White, Anna Claire Chambers and Beck Chambers. Surviving great-grandchild is London Brill.
Born and raised in Chicago, Ill., Don also spent summers in Vinita, Okla., where he worked on a ranch, growing to love horses and raising livestock.
He attended and graduated from Oklahoma State University (Go Cowboys). He also served one year in the United States Coast Guard and two years in the United States Army.
He moved from Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in 1959 and lived there until 1968 when he moved to Stuart, Fla., where he spent the rest of his life.
He founded White Commercial Corporation (Grain Merchandizing) in 1978 and continued as Chairman until his passing in Dec 2017.
Don loved riding his horses, fishing, camping, long walks, spending time with his Labrador retriever, going on week-long remote hikes in Bella Coola, British Columbia and spending time with family and friends at his cottage in Saugatuck.
He also loved traveling across the country, meeting with farmers and grain elevator owners, and sharing his passion to educate the farming community in the grain merchandising process.
He rarely complained about anything, genuinely loved people and valued their friendship. He truly exemplified Proverbs 18:24: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
.