11-21-2022 - Classmate Lawrence “Dean” White passed away November 12, 2022
St. George, UT- I left ever so quietly on Saturday the 12th of November. I would have preferred it be Friday the 13th because that was a lucky day for me. I asked my beloved Kaye to marry me on Friday the 13th back in '68, and we waited until the next Friday the 13th in June of '69, to marry. She was my high school sweetheart, the love and my life, my constant, caring companion. From that marriage, I have left a legacy of children and grandchildren whom I reluctantly leave, but know my spirit, my love of nature, good literature, music, and the Utah Jazz lives on in them.
I was born Lawrence Dean White on December 3rd, 1948, to Bonnie and Woodrow White. I go by Dean, or my nickname "Woody" which I inherited from my dad after managing our family business "Bonwood" Bowl (named in honor of my parents) for many years. I loved the people, both working with them and bowling with them. The Saturday Juniors, Bowl for the Cure, the Nisei league, the special needs groups, The Christmas Sub for Santa events brought me tremendous joy In 2010 I was honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, receiving the GSLBA Special Service Award. Thanks to Todd and Heidi for taking up the Bonwood torch.
Music was one of my passions. In my hippie years I played with a band called "Rocky Mountain Splendor." I loved our gigs and the guys. We were lifelong friends. Working a day job was okay, but it never diminished my musical aspirations. In my golden years I produced a CD called "In My Room." Special thanks to Ryan Miller, Emily Miller, Jaymes Silver, Sabina Ulleryd, and Brittany Stephenson for their help on this project.
I instilled a love of camping, fishing, hiking, campfires, wood chopping, Sunday morning scones and trout at our Christmas Meadows family campsite. Everyone was welcome at our campfire. My kids and grandkids still make an annual trek to the mountains. Look for me there as you raft down the stream, watch a moose meander through the meadow and sit by the campfire.
Our family also frequented Laguna Beach and Disneyland. My beloved Kaye and I honeymooned there in 1969 and began taking our kids there when they were very young. It is my great joy to have travelled there later in life with my kids and grandkids. Look for me at the top of the hill on Splash Mountain, in the pilot's seat of the Millennium Falcon, and doing the Goofy dance in Adventureland.
Then there are the cabin days - life at Casablanca. Those days and memories will never end! Our last family party extraordinaire--when the kids did every holiday we had missed due to the COVID beast-- meant the world to me. That memory will be etched in our hearts forever - glad I held on to share that special weekend with my beloved family.
I tried to live simply, love beauty, and celebrate joy. My sense of humor was palpable. It was the small things that brought me pleasure--watching the Jazz with my grandsons, going to soccer games to watch my grandkids, taking the whole family to REAL games, or catching a concert together. We loved playing cards, games at the cabin, ATV rides, anything we could celebrate and do as a family. But I loved my quiet time too--reading my books, playing the piano or guitar, listening to music and peering out the cabin window from my upstairs vantage point to enjoy God's splendor--the sunsets, the rainfall, thunder, and lightning! Oh, so spectacular!
I have closed up the cabin for my last time, but my presence will remain. Watch for me in the clouds or in a soaring hawk, or the hummingbird fray. I loved the many visitors, especially those of you that came constantly towards the end (you are the salt of the earth). In the end, my body was weak, but my mind and spirit remained strong. Be thankful, be grateful, be kind and optimistic. I have shown you what life is truly about.
I am survived by my wife Kaye of 53 years. My daughter Brittany (Jeff and his parents Gary and Jean), my son Todd, my daughter Heidi (Rob), my honorary daughter Diana. My grandkids, Josh, Chris (Kenna), Laura, and Ovi. My siblings, Matt (Jill), Emma (Guy), Scott (Melanie) and Liz (Dave) and all their kids and grands. My in-laws - JoAnn, Tom, Jdee (Susy) and all their kids and grands. And finally, there's Sugar. Please carry on in my absence and watch over Kaye. I have loved you all, and I am ready for my next adventure. Namaste, Woody
Funeral services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sandy (8575 S. 700 E.) on Saturday November 26 at 2:00 pm. In traditional Dean "fashion", casual attire is encouraged.
Streaming service available at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - YouTube
Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Nov. 17 to Nov. 20, 2022.
