Elmer John White, Junior, 92, of Beaumont, died Saturday, March 8th in his home surrounded by his loving family. A native of Beaumont, E.J. was born on August 14, 1921 to Elmer and Bessie White at the Hotel Dieu in Beaumont, Texas. He attended Beaumont schools and graduated from Beaumont High School in May, 1939. He attended Lamar Junior College and completed his studies at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas.
While in dental school, he served in the United States Army Specialized Training Program from 1943 to 1945. He graduated from Baylor Dental School in 1944 and return to Beaumont to open a private practice.
E.J.’s passion for dentistry, unwavering professional integrity and attention to detail earned him a reputation for providing outstanding dental work. He took great pleasure in helping his patients and taking the time to know them personally.
He enhanced his practice with continued education at the University of Texas Dental Branch, Baylor Dental School, and at the L.D. Pankey Institute. He participated in courses offered by the local Dental Society, study clubs and special groups resulting in adequate post graduate hours to receive Fellow in Academy of General Dentistry awarded to dentists who have gone beyond the basic requirement to care for their patients. He also received Fellow of the American College of Dentists. In 2011, the American College of Dentists honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Awarded.
He served as Past President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Sabine District Dental Society. He was affiliated with the American and Texas Dental Association, Texas Academy of General Dentistry. He served on the Judicial Committee of the Texas Dental Association for four years to rewrite the Texas Dental Procedure Act. In the early 1970’s, E.J. and fellow colleagues partitioned the Texas State Legislature to establish a dental hygiene program at Lamar College of Technical Arts which began awarding the Associate Degree of Dental Hygiene in 1972.
His civic endeavors included the Beaumont Charity Clinic, United Appeals, former member of the Vestry of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and a Rotary Club member.
Known to play as hard as he worked, E.J. loved of the game of golf especially the discipline, being outdoors, and sharing golf wisdom and anecdotes with family and friends.
E.J. is survived by his wife, Barbara; his son, John R. White and his wife Paula, daughters, Alyson Ray and her husband, J.T., and Kimberly Goodson and her husband, Guy; and by seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He loved spending as much time as he could with his family and if not with family he enjoyed time spent with his dear and loyal friends.
The family would like to give special thanks to EJ’s dear friends, Pete Sinclair, Marty Miller, Myrafi Rosales, Joje Frantz, Odyssey Hospice, Dr. Joseph Holland, and Dr. Jeremy Huff and his nurse Penny.
A gathering of Dr. White’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 10, 2014, in Broce Hall, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 4090 Delaware, Beaumont, with his memorial service to follow in the sanctuary at 11:00 a.m., under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 4090 Delaware Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
