Garland Burroughs White, Jr.

Garland Burroughs White, Jr., resident of Oakland, who departed this life on November 21, 2013, was a North Carolina boy, born in Asheville on April 25, 1918 to Garland B. White, Sr. and Birdie Shaw White. A younger sister, Rebecca Sper of Sellersville, PA, survives him. Garland grew up in depression times, determined to be the first in his family to graduate from college and make his mark in the world. He graduated from University of Miami as an industrial engineer and was in the US Army Corps of engineers, participating in the Manhattan Project (development of the Atomic Bomb) during World War II.

On November 23, 1949, he married Bettie Margaret Eldred in Kansas City, Missouri. She adored him. They would be married 54 years until her death in 2004.  Together they raised two daughters, Robyn White Simons (Kermit) of Cordova, TN and Lisbet Johnson (Steven) of Redmond, WA.

Garland retired from Rockwell International in his early fifties to pursue many other accomplishments. He served the tourist trade in one capacity or another for 20 years in Southern California and another 10 years in Franklin, North Carolina. As a former owner of motels and apartments, he even assisted federal agents in apprehending drug dealers in El Centro, California.

Garland was a licensed real estate broker, general contractor and developer in the Smoky Mountains that he loved. He would like nothing better than to take the ugliest piece of property and turn it into a development of lovely homes. Garland owned a farm in Patton Valley, NC, where he raised beef cattle and wonderful Palominos for his 4 spectacular grandsons, Scott Simons, Jason Simons, Matthew Johnson and Peter Johnson.

In his spare time, Garland and Bettie traveled the globe, including African safaris, train trips across China, world cruises and at 88 years young is the oldest person to climb Rotorua Volcano in North Island, New Zealand. Garland always brought back at least one hat to commemorate his adventures.

Garland returned to his community as president of the Smoky Mountain Shriner’s Club, donating effort and monies to support the Shriner’s Hospital for children in Greenville, SC. Leadership was also his role as president of the Junaluska Masonic Lodge and the Kiwanis Club. In 1996, he started the “Terrific Kids Program” in the Franklin, NC, schools that provided incentives for children to become leaders within their schools.

Garland, being as thrifty as they come, prided himself in delighting all with a good joke and was known for being the best real estate negotiator in town. He recently celebrated life with his lively great grandchildren, Harper and Chase Simons.

After relocating to Oakland, Garland is widower to Inez Mallard Harvey of Somerville, his companion and generous caregiver.  A member of Somerville First United Methodist Church, Garland is remembered by all as a southern gentleman who valued family, small town America, hard work and chocolate.

A celebration of his life will be held in the spring in the Smoky Mountains he loved. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center – Main Chapel of Somerville.

The family requests that memorials be directed to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148.