David Carl White

David Carl White, 76, of Traverse City, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2024 with his loving family by his side, in person and by phone. David graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1966, and he was always so proud that all six of his children graduated from there as well. Following his graduation, he moved with his first wife to Royal Oak, MI, where they welcomed two daughters. Many years later, he was at an MSU basketball game where he was introduced to Esther Christine (Chris) Wells, the love of his life. Their first date followed a week later at an MSU hockey game, and from that moment, their story began. They were married on April 19, 1980, in Okemos, MI. Together, they were blessed with four children, and they became a close knit and loving family of eight. David attended Lawrence Tech University in Southfield, MI, and became interested in the Machine Trades Industry. He became an accomplished Tool and Die Maker. He was a strong union man and became the International Vice President of the Die Sinkers Conference and served that position well. He moved his family to California to continue to work in a union shop and was involved in many decisions affecting the Die Sinkers Union. Wanting to move back to Traverse City with his family and be where he grew up became more important to him. At that point, he had become an engineer and programmer and continued to work in Traverse City until his retirement. In his spare time, David found joy in gardening and woodworking, hobbies that reflected his love for creativity and hands-on projects. He was also an avid sports fan, especially enjoying watching the Detroit Lions and Tigers. However, his greatest passion was attending his children’s and grandchildren’s games and after-school activities. He never missed an opportunity to cheer them on, offering unwavering support at every turn. He coached AAU basketball, having the privilege of having two of his daughters on his team. Those were some of his happiest days. After being diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, David underwent many treatment options. As each no longer worked, his last treatment option was chemo, which he endured for many years. For 15 years from his diagnosis, he fought bravely to live his life to the fullest. The support of so many friends and family over the years has meant the world to him and also to his family. He outlasted expectations, always finding ways to persevere. In his final days, David’s goals were to see the Detroit Tigers win the World Series and for Kamala Harris to become the next U.S. president. Although Chris can’t mention everybody by name, she gives so many thanks to David’s doctors, dermatologist, oncologist, cardiologist, and his many doctors and nurses over the years that took care of him in the hospital. He became friends with so many nurses and attendants at Cowell Cancer Center. He has been well taken care of and well loved. You know who you are, and Chris and her family relay their gratitude. David is survived by his beloved wife, Chris; children, Amy (George) Tabbert, Victoria (Dwight) Sylvester, Elijah (Nicole) White, Amanda (Shawn) McLendon, Stacy (Nitesh) Srivastava, and Lindsey VanBerlo; grandchildren Joshua and Benjamin Tabbert, Tyler (Stephanie) Sylvester, Cayce (Lauren) Sylvester, Simon and Reagan White; Asher, Izabela, and Colin McLendon; Lucy, Margot, and Celia Srivastava; and Eden VanBerlo; great-grandchildren Henrik and Keller Sylvester; his siblings, Carol (Morris) Thomas and Donald (Mary Jo) White; nieces and nephews, Rebekah White, Brian (Darby) Thomas, and James (Maria) Thomas; also Olivia, Josiah, Ethan, Anni, Norah, and Madison were such special 2nd nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Helen; his brother, Robert White; his granddaughter, Mallory Jane White; and his nephew, Zachery White. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral Services will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Traverse Bay United Methodist Church at 11am with a visitation beginning at 10am. Memorial contributions may be directed to David’s family, who plan to honor his life with something in the future that would have personal meaning to him. Kindly share thoughts and memories with his family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.