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Michael White - On June 4, 2010 Albuquerque lost one of "its angels" (Albuquerque Journal 12/25/2009). He was born on January 24, 1915. His parents, Pete and Adeline McCord White; and nine brothers and sisters; and his wife, Hazel preceded him in death. His son, Mickey White, and wife, Nancy Lefler of Temple Texas; and daughter, Nancy Clark; and friend, Nancy Dhooge, of Corrales, New Mexico, survive him; He is also survived by four grandchildren, (Michael and Christopher Clark, Andy White and Ann Maire [White] Hanna); and two great-grandchildren (Miles and Rowen Clark). Mike White was born in a time when horses were the main mode of transportation and his life ended when flight to the emerging space station was the norm. In his youth, he was a Golden Gloves Champion and an Eagle Scout. He got his bachelor's degree in three years and got his first teaching job before he was 21. After teaching for a year, he was named principal. It was there that he met Hazel, his wife of over 50 years. They formed a partnership that was a model to all who knew them. They decided in the 40ies that Wisconsin was just too cold and damp so they moved to New Mexico where he and Hazel lived out the rest of their lives. Mike started as a middle school teacher with Albuquerque Public Schools, became a principal, and then was director of curriculum and personnel director before he retired over 35 years ago for APS. His stand was always "the students come first, no matter what." Students from his first teaching assignment still visited. While he was at APS, his favorite summer activity was being a Park Naturalist at Grand Canyon. He and his family spent many wonderful summers there. He also developed a set of Grand Canyon Slides from those times. Well into his 90ies, he continued to share these slide shows with seniors and others. After retiring, Mike continued his love of sharing his knowledge by volunteering at Jemez campgrounds. He gave campfire talks using the slides from the Grand Canyon Days as well as new sets he developed from his travels in his RV. These sets were also shared. Woodworking also kept him busy. Almost every day he was in his shop building something. Turned bowls, candlestick holders, kid's furniture, crosses, animals-anything in wood that he saw or patterns people brought him were fair game. He was always up for the challenge. If you visited, you always walked away with something made from wood. Much of it was donated to various causes and people. He just enjoyed making things! He was known as a good and true friend to many, ages 10 to 90. Folks loved him. If you talked to him about something, he remembered it and kept track of how it came out. He knew the right questions to ask and the right comments to make. He was kind and gentle and caring. He was considered "neighbor extraordinaire". You needed your gate fixed, your mail picked up, whatever-he was your man. He had 95 good years; more than most of us can even hope. We miss him, his multitude of friends and family miss him. The world will miss him. The world has lost a first class person and 'an angel on earth'. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010, 5:00 p.m. at the White House. Because Mike gave freely of his time and artwork to many and all, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice or Hospice De La Luz, 3812 Academy Parkway North NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Please visit our online guestbook for Mike at www.RememberTheirStory.com. French 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
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