David White
April 27, 1945 ~ February 12, 2023
Born in:
Mattoon , Illinois
Resided in:
Bryan , Texas
David White, born April 27, 1945, was taken to his heavenly home February 12, 2023. Born in Mattoon, IL, David’s parents, Geneva and Herbert White, brought him to McAllen, TX, as a child. There he grew up, serving as a volunteer firefighter during his teen years. After graduating high school David volunteered for military service during the early years of the Vietnam conflict only to be rejected due to lung scarring from a previously undiagnosed ailment. His fire chief in McAllen told him it was a joy to have him back when he returned. For 12 years he served as a full-time municipal firefighter, later advancing to the department’s training officer. He was then recruited to be the first instructor for the Texas Engineering and Extension Service Recruit Firefighter Training program at Texas A&M. The program drew students from across the state as well as nationally and internationally. After 12 years, he took a six-month sabbatical and assisted at a refinery in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with their fire protection training and emergency response planning.
Returning to College Station, David married Lynn Bourland who became his life companion and right hand in launching his own training and consulting service, Fire and Safety Specialists, Inc. The newsletter the Whites founded to keep in touch with his clients became the launching pad for Industrial Fire World magazine which he published for 35 years. For 25 of those years the magazine hosted the annual IFW Conference and Expo through which David offered the first national and international forums to explore industrial fire and emergency response issues. His work in training and consulting took him to 52 countries, often as a speaker at training events. Held in great respect, David influenced the standards governing municipal and industrial fire protection education and training worldwide. He brought to the forefront the importance of industrial fire training to be recognized along with training municipal and volunteer fire services. In 2014, David was presented the distinguished Red Adair Award at the Williams Fire & Hazard Control Xtreme Firefighting School. IFW exhibitors followed that with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. In 2019, the National Fire Heritage Center placed him in their Hall of Legends, Legacies and Leaders. David has contributed to the knowledge and leadership development of thousands of emergency responders worldwide during his career.
As an officer, board member or committee member, David has served on many state and national fire service organizations. He received a B.S. in technical education from Texas A&M and taught in the initial fire protection classes developed by Blinn College where he received an A.S. degree.
David’s many associates have appreciated his vast knowledge of fire protection principles, practices and events, and his willingness to share his expertise with anyone wanting to improve fire protection and safety. He built an international network among volunteer, municipal and industrial fire professionals that would not exist without his unselfish efforts.
David is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jonathan White. He is survived by his wife and partner of 46 years, Lynn; his cousin, Susan Walter, and his brothers and sisters in Christ at Central Church of Christ in Bryan, TX.
Memorials may be sent to the National Fire Heritage Center at www.fireheritageusa.org, Central Church of Christ Belize Medical Mission or South African Bible College through Memorial Church of Christ, Houston, TX.
http://centralchurchofchrist.com/
Services
Visitation: February 18, 2023 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Central Church of Christ
1600 East 29th Street
Bryan, Texas 77802
979-822-2900
http://www.centralchurchofchrist.com/
Funeral Service: February 18, 2023 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Central Church of Christ
1600 East 29th Street
Bryan, Texas 77802
979-822-2900
http://www.centralchurchofchrist.com/
Graveside Service: February 18, 2023 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Bryan City Cemetery
1111 N Texas Ave
Bryan, TX 77803
979-209-5230
Condolences… David was a good friend to many! He will be remembered by everyone…
Lynn—I am so sorry for your loss. You and David will always hold a special place in my heart. Much love and prayers for you at this time.
Love,
Donna Langley Thaten
Our condolences to the White family, I pray our Lord will place his loving arms around the family and provide them peace and comfort during this time of loss.
James Sledge
Lynn, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of my longtime friend Dave. Although our contacts over the years were on and off, I will never forget our times together and the hospitality of you and Dave on my visits to College Station. The work of the two of you with the magazine and all aspects of industrial fire fighting won’t be forgotten. We have lost a giant in the realm of fire protection. My prayers are with you.
Rest Easy David. I will always remember our meals and the fellowship. God bless.
Lynn you and David not only created a wonderful life together but also left a legacy in your business and it’s relationships that will save lives and prevent injuries for many lifetimes to come ! What a legacy !
In Christ y’all lived and in christ’s arms he is received . Bless your heart this and every day . Always Bob and Alice Hinckley
Lynn you and David not only created a wonderful life together but also left a legacy in your business and it’s relationships that will save lives and prevent injuries for many lifetimes to come ! What a legacy !
In Christ y’all lived and in christ’s arms he is received . Bless your heart this and every day .
Lynn you and David not only created a wonderful life together but also left a legacy in your business and it’s relationships that will save lives and prevent injuries for many lifetimes to come !
In Christ y’all lived and in christ’s arms he is received . Bless your heart this and every day .
Lynn you and David not only created a great and wonderful life together but also left a legacy in his business and its many relationships. Those will save lives and prevent injuries for many lifetimes to come! In Christ ya”ll lived and in Christs arms he is received. Bless your heart this and every day!
THIS IS GLADYS HOEK OF GHANA NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE LYNN AND DAVID YOU AND FAMILY I NEVER HAD FATHER DAVID THAT IS HOW I CALL HIM AND TELL MY FRIENDS ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL FAMILY I MET AND FOUND ON THE INTERNET MY GOD FATHER I AM LOST OF WARDS AND IT HAS BEEN MY DEAR TO MEET YOU IN PERSON BUT LIFE IT IS NOT ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN I WANT YOU TO DO THIS PROMISE I WILL COME AND VISIT YOUR GRAVE ON ONE DAY BEFORE I JOIN YOU
THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CO ING TO MY LIFE
LYNN THANK YOU FOR BEEN MOTHER N MY LIFE MAY THE GOOD LORD YOU MY FATHER DAVID WHITE REST IN THE LORD
Lynn, so sorry to see this when I thought of you and David. You both took me into your home while attending A&M after I met you in church. I have fond memories of you both.
Kevin L.
Condolences to the family and friends of David White. David had well over 30 first cousins residing in East Central Illinois, the Rochester NY area, Arizona, Texas, Miami Beach, Florida, Elkhart Indiana, s places. David also had 9 half brothers and sisters, residing in Illinois, Miami Beach, Florida, Mattoon, Illinois, Elkhart, Indiana and San Diago, California.As Susan Walter attended the services, she was our family representative. David, RIP
I forgot to mention David’s 1/2 sister, Susan Walter, of Pahrump, NV also survives.