Donald "Don" White
November 13, 1955 ~ April 28, 2023
Donald White, 67, Aviation Engineer, died Friday, April 28, 2023. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am, Friday, May 5, 2023, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Don was the second of three children born to James DeVaughn White and Shirley Jean (Johnson) White Washburn on November 13, 1955. Raised in Wichita, he graduated from Wichita High School South in 1973. After working as an import car mechanic for 10 years, he was hired at Cessna where one of his early assignments was working on the Citation X with Dick Curtis. Don continued to work in the aircraft industry until his passing, spending time at Bombardier Learjet, Beech and Gulfstream.Don was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Teresa Northcutt; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Northcutt. He is survived by his wife, Joy; sons, Daniel and Matthew; grandchildren, Peyton, Stella, Elijah, Luna, and Silas; sister, Annette Hamm; nephews, Jason Thompson, John Northcutt, James Northcutt, and Jerrod Smith; nieces, Josie Bollig, Lana Ladd, Ashley Smith; and many beloved cousins.
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Don was a great friend. He was caring, generous, had a great sense of humor, and he was always willing to lend a hand. In the last few years, he’d gotten very into guitars, and once or twice a month we’d get together to play. He was very proud of his guitar collection, maybe even as proud as he was of his his motorcycle collection!
Got the chance to meet and work with Don this past year. Was really good to work with
and always willing to help. He is going to be sorely missed. We talked about his experience with British cars as he had alot
of experience with them.
Don was a rare individual. Although the smartest guy in the room, he was never condescending. His demeanor was attestation of his humbleness and respect.
Don was a true friend, always willing to help in any way. He was honest, sincere and unaffected by pettiness. If the earth were filled with more people who adhered to those traits, it would be a better world.
Don was an extremely talented motorcycle rider. You could ride shoulder-to-shoulder with him and never fear that he would put a wheel out of place; in reality trusting him with your life. This trust extended beyond the track, it was Don’s essence and I loved him for that.
A piece of my heart is gone and you will be missed forever. Until we ride again my brother.
Don was a very special person. He was kind and extremely knowledgeable. His generosity was especially noteworthy always willing to help a friend.
My experience with him as a motorcycle rider helped countless people learn to operate safely at an advanced level. He was a mentor and a friend who I love and will deeply miss as well as many others. The mark he made in many people’s live made this world a better place. Your memory will be a blessing.
Jack Goodman
You said it Jack. Don was a great guy.
Joy, I’m so sorry you and your sons have to be sad. You can be assured Don is in the hands of our Lord now.
I first met Don when he worked on a BMW 2002 I owned in 1976 or ’77. He was working for European Car Company. They had no rules against customers being in the shop at the time, so I got to “help”.
We reconnected a few years later when our wives discovered that they knew each other when we all worshipped at Central Community Church of God.
There was also a short period when he and I tried to corner the life insurance market as salesmen.
We were both at Cessna several years later. Don was even checked out on the Cessna flying club’s Pressurized 210 Centurion, among others.
He was also great font of information when I became a BMW motorcycle owner about 15 years ago.
Great person. I good friend to have. I will miss him too.
From the Stephens’ family and crew at Hallett, we are so blessed that Don chose us to be his home track and part of our track family! Sincere condolences for your loss of an amazing man. We will miss him dearly.
Doing what he loved
Joy;
I’m sorry I missed the funeral. I just heard about his passing today. Don was a good friend and I loved working with him at Cessna. Call me and let me know if I can do something Dick Curtis 650 0757