David White

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/