TOPSFIELD and HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Sheldon Garrett White, 38, passed away unexpectedly Friday, April 3, 2009, at his home in Huntsville, Ala. He was born June 9, 1970, in Calais, the son of Arnold and Eveonne (Sherman) White of Topsfield and Cumming, Ga. Sheldon was a graduate of Lee Academy, Class of 1988. He was an “A” star student for which he received a four-year scholarship award to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. In 1992, he graduated and was commissioned a second lieutenant stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where he met his wife, Lydia. His next assignment was undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, where he not only earned his pilot wings, but had the highest academic average in his class. He was also stationed at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; and his final assignment as lieutenant colonel in Huntsville, Ala., where he served on the Warfighter Support Center Team and directly contributed to the national defense and security of the U.S. by supporting missile defense planning and preparations prior to the North Korean missile launch directed by the secretary of Defense and the president of the U.S. Sheldon is survived by his loving, caring and hard working wife, Lydia (McSwain) White; eight wonderful children, Michael, Christine, Boston, Tatton, Talon, Tiber, Tell and Temperance White, all of Huntsville, Ala.; two grandchildren, Cole and Vespa; his mother, Eveonne White of Cumming, Ga.; two brothers, Rick White of Texas and Ivan White of Orrington; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Sheldon’s father, Arnold White, recently passed June 28, 2009. A celebration of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at Hunnewell Acres Cemetery, U.S. Route 1, Topsfield. Local arrangements with Clay Funeral Home-Bartlett Chapel, 24 Houlton Road, Danforth. Those who wish may sign an online register and leave written condolences at www.clayfuneralhome.com.
LT. COL. SHELDON GARRETT WHITE
