Mr. Earl Lewis White's Obituary
Earl Lewis White was the fourth child born to James Burnett White and Mary Ethel Gardner White on October 5, 1949 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Shortly after his birth, the family migrated north to Gary, Indiana. Earl accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized as a child. He was educated in Gary public schools and was an outstanding athlete. Standing 6 foot 3 inches tall, he excelled at football and basketball at Roosevelt Senior High in Gary, where he graduated in 1968.
In 1969 Earl became a father with a birth of his first child, a son named Jermelle Lynn White. Immediately afterward, he was drafted into the U.S. Army for the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey; in California and in Germany during his tour of duty. In 1973, Earl was honorably discharged. He returned home to Gary and joined the Gary Fire Department as a fireman.
A short time after returning home, he asked Sharon Johnson for her hand in marriage. They were united in marriage on August 12, 1973 and remained happily married more than 50 years, until his passing. They were blessed with three beautiful children, Nita, Earl Deon, and Troy Lewis White. His double blessing came with the addition of his five grandchildren, Sydney, Jordan, Kylan, Cameron and Kendall.
Earl and Sharon’s home was an anchor, safe harbor and hub for their entire extended family. He was also loved as a father and stepped in as a father figure and mentor for many nephews, nieces and friends of the family.
In January 1980, Earl and Sharon left Gary, Indiana and relocated their family to Houston, Texas. Sharon had a job opportunity there, and Earl’s two sisters had also recently moved to Houston.
Upon moving, Earl joined Houston Lighting and Power (HL&P) where he served as a Head Operator and member of the Fire Brigade for more than 25 years. In 2005, he retired from HL&P as they transitioned to Reliant Energy.
After golfing for six months straight and eating his favorite Blue Bell ice cream every day, he became bored and decided to start a second career as a bus driver for the Fort Bend Independent School District. There he safely transported students daily for 15 years until his retirement in 2023. He then continued as a substitute driver until Spring 2025.
Throughout his life, Earl loved cars, boats, fishing and golf. His love of cars began with his beloved Oldsmobile 442 that was “his baby,” and it was quite a hit around town. He spent each weekend on a lake or a golf course. He was also a sports enthusiast. In addition to coaching his sons’ Little League teams, he loved his Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Houston Astros, Rockets and yes, even the Texans, and was a season ticket holder for each.
Earl was a devoted member of Windsor Village United Methodist Church for 40 years. However, over the past several years he also began regularly attending Fountain of Praise, which became his second church home.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Albert White and Geraldine Marshall.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Sharon of 52 years; his sister, Dr. Mary White; brother, Franklin White (Wilma); daughter, Dr. Nita White; sons, Jermalle White, Earl White(Taneka), Troy White (Jessi); his grandchildren, in-laws, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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