HILLIARD – Michael Lee White, 73, of Hilliard died peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Mike was born January 30, 1948, to Melvin C. and Ruth P. (née Smith) White of Howard.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 41 years, Judith K. “Jude” (née Miller) White; his four children who he loved with all his heart, K. Renee White of Hilliard, Jeremy S. (Kristi) White of Mount Vernon, Jennifer M. “Jenni” (Robert) Taylor of New Albany and Joseph Michael “Joey” White of Hilliard; and brothers Melvin P. “Butch” (Pat) White of Mount Vernon and Tom White of Marengo. He loved and doted on his three grandchildren, Siera Stevens, Uriah (Tiffany) White and Tristen Bonnette; and his great-grandchildren, Gracie, Ezekiel, Caleigh and Thalia. He is also survived by numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Mike was a Christian with strong roots in his faith. He was a faithful servant within the local church – serving in Royal Rangers and later as a leader within youth ministry. He and his wife, Jude, coordinated a local food pantry, serving the community for over 12 years.
Mike was a 1967 graduate of East Knox High school, in Howard, and was a lifelong fan of East Knox Bulldogs football. He was a member of the football team and played the trumpet in the band. He was drafted into the Army in the spring of 1968 and volunteered to go overseas to Vietnam, but was stationed stateside. He tried to hitchhike home to see his then-wife Vickie and daughter Renee every couple of weeks while in the service. He was a cook, spec 5 when he was discharged in 1970. He was also a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, especially of Harley Davidson and old Indian motorcycles. As a child, he loved primitive camping and being on the water in a speedboat. He had an enduring love of music, especially rock ‘n roll, and played the guitar and harmonica. He enjoyed creating art and was especially good at drawing cartoon-type pictures and scenes.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Ruth; his grandparents, Wilbur and Nellie White and J. Beverly and Carey Smith; his brother, Robert, in addition to two infant brothers, Donald and John; his sisters-in-law, Sheila McGuire, Mary White and Pat White; and brothers-in-law Marvin Arweller and David Richards.
A memorial service will be held at The Church Next Door, at 5755 Feder Road, Columbus, OH 43228, on Sunday, Aug. 8, at 2:30 p.m.
Submitted by Jenni Taylor.
