George White 1932 - 2005

George Alexander White was born July 16, 1932 to Phyllis Draper and Hants White in Presque Isle, Maine. He passed away peacefully on May 5 at his home with his family surrounding him.

George attended and completed his schooling at Mars Hill, Maine. George graduated from Mars Hill High School and Aroostook Institute. George's father was a potato grower and broker. George learned well from his father and later the knowledge that his father shared with him became a very important part of his life.

He enlisted in the Air Force and served in the Korean War as a military policeman. From Korea he was transferred to the Mountain Home, Idaho, Air Force Base. During his time at Mountain Home, he met Delores Seefried. From the first time he laid eyes upon her, she became his "cute little thing." Delores was a schoolteacher at Mountain Home; she was raised in American Falls, Idaho. She remembers their first date being at the Boise Zoo. George and Delores were married at Grace Lutheran Church, in Potcatello, Idaho on June 5, 1955. Their 50th wedding anniversary would have been this June. George was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran soon after their marriage.

George and Delores moved to American Falls, Idaho. In American Falls, George served as a deputy sheriff for Power County.

George started his potato career at Lamb-Weston in American Falls. He started at the bottom and worked his way up to plant manager at the Lamb-Weston processing plant in Hermiston, Ore. He took a new job with Carnation at plant manager of the Moses Lake potato processing plant in 1977, and soon became regional manager of all Carnation processing plants until his retirement in 1991.

At retirement George went to work for the Washington Potato Growers Association as a contract negotiator and consultant for growers. He also consulted for potato processors in the Northwest and Montreal, Canada.

When he completely retired, he then dedicated all of his time to his beloved Delores, their home and their family. He loved his family completely and fully. Delores said, "He was the most wonderful husband. I was so fortunate to have someone love me so very very much." He also found the time to trace and record the family history of both the White and Seefried families.

George and Delores enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Alaska and Maine. Of particular importance was time spent with family, and especially time spent at the bi-annual Wallowa, Ore. family reunion.

George liked people and was always interested in the events of their lives. He was able to lead and help people achieve their full potential, and was greatly respected for his fairness and caring for his peers and workers. His integrity could be counted on, his word was as good as gold, he truly cared for those he worked with as well as believing, "each person needs to paddle their own canoe."

From the union of George and Delores, four sons were born: Carl, Robbie, Rodney and Jody.

George is preceded in death by: his mother and father, his brothers Don and Douglas, and his sons Jody and Robbie.

He is survived by: his wife, Delores, at their home in Moses Lake; brothers: Roy and Connie of Del., Jimmy and Janet of Ariz. and Wayne and Jenny-Jo of Calif.; sisters: Wanda of Hood Canal and Martha and Walter of Mars Hill, Maine; sons: Carl and Lisa of Pocatello, Idaho and Rodney and Melisa of Moses Lake; grandchildren: Jacob, Benjamin, Nicole, Jason, Cody and Mailene; and great-grandchild: Hunter.

Our father and husband was dearly loved by family and friends and will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Viewing will be Monday, May 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kayser's Chapel of Memories in Moses Lake. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory.

Memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 10, at 10 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Moses Lake.

Graveside service will be held Thursday, May 12, at 10 a.m. at the Falls View Cemetery in American Falls, Idaho.