Elbert White

Elbert John White passed away peacefully after a very short battle with cancer at his home in Santa Clara, Utah on Monday, February 14, 2022 at the age of 74. He was surrounded by his eternal companion, Pat; his two children, John and Tisha; and his son-in-law, Murrey.

Elbert was born on May 17, 1947 to goodly parents, Joel Francis White and Guenivere Heaton. He was raised in Hurricane, Utah.

Elbert was very active in the Boy Scouts of America where he later earned his Eagle Scout Award. He attended Hurricane High School. He played the saxophone in the high school band and was the school photographer for the yearbook. He was also an active member in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. He graduated from Hurricane High School, Class of ‘65.

Elbert was called to serve in the Southwest British Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1966-1968.

Following his mission, he enlisted in the United States Navy and bravely served his country from August 1969-August 1973. He was trained as an anti-submarine sonar technician and a rescue swimmer and was an air crewman on the HS-6 helicopter. One of his favorite missions was rescuing the Apollo 14 astronauts after they splashed down in the South Pacific on February 9, 1971. He even got to keep a small piece of the gold foil from the space capsule, which he still has to this day.

While stationed at the Naval Base in San Diego CA, Elbert met the love of his life, Patricia Haunani Smith. They were married for time and all eternity in the St. George, Utah Temple on May 1, 1971. Elbert and Pat were blessed to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary last year.

Elbert and Pat made their home in Santa Clara, Utah in 1976. One year later, their son, John, was born on June 12, 1977. Seven years later, on their 13th Wedding Anniversary, their daughter, Tisha, was born on May 1, 1984.

Elbert worked as sales manager at Jones Paint & Glass for 35 years when he decided to retire in 2019.

A lifelong and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Elbert was known to be a quiet and spiritual giant who always performed his many church callings and duties above and beyond the call.

Elbert is survived by his wife, Pat; his son, John White of Henderson, NV; his daughter, Tisha (Murrey) Wilson of North Salt Lake, UT; grandchildren: Matthew John White, Tyler Bradley White, Sean Michael White, and Shannon Elise White; Brothers: Karl (Kathy) White, Dennis (Linda) White, Chris (Sharon) White; Sisters: Nora Hafen and Jolene (Rick) Ewell; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joel and Guenivere White; sister, Becky Lasiloo; and nephew, Brian White.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 25, 2022 at 11:00am at the Santa Clara Stake Center located at 3040 Santa Clara Dr., Santa Clara, Utah 84765.  A viewing will be held at the same location on Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and prior to the funeral on Friday from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Santa Clara Cemetery, under the direction of McMillan Mortuary (435) 688-8880. The funeral service will be live-streamed, click on link below.