White Rickey

BIOGRAPHY

Coach Rickey White left this world on May 22, 2014.

He was preceded in death by his father, Reverend Joe White of Odessa, Texas, and his father-in-law Jerroll Sanders of Eldorado.

He is survived by his wife Kay White of Water Valley, daughter and son-in-law Kari Deanne and Matt Berry of Leander, son and daughter-in-law, Corbett Sanders and Lydia White of San Antonio, his grandchildren Meredith Kay Berry, Cooper James White, Adeline Elizabeth White, and Harper Emmaline White. Other survivors include his mother Lorene White of Carlsbad, NM, brothers Ronnie White of Carlsbad, NM, Joey White of Plainview, mother-in-law, Cleone Sanders of San Angelo. Brother and sister-in-laws are as follows: Charlotte White of Plainview, Jane and Charles Allcorn of Winters, and Steve and Lynn Crawford of Houston. He also has several nieces and nephews that were all very special to him.

Coach White was born in 1947 in Brownfield and married the lady who gave him the twinkle in his eyes, Kay Sanders from Eldorado in 1968. He had a 34 year teaching and coaching career, working in the following communities though out Texas: Coleman, Shallowater, Crane, Donna, and Water Valley. His personal achievements included playing on Odessa Permian’s first state championship team, blocking 2 punts and scoring a safety earning himself MVP honors of the State Championship game. He was awarded an athletic scholarship to Angelo State University, where he played football and was the first person in his family to earn a college degree. He was also a City Councilman in Shallowater, Texas, where he occasionally led the music at the First Baptist Church of Shallowater. He was a long time member of the Texas High School Coaches Association, and was elected to serve on the Board of Directors. He was also chosen to be a member of the All-star selection Committee.

Rickey possessed the gift of Joy and he did his best to share that gift with anyone who would receive it. Any room he entered seemed to become brighter. He often was observed by his students, athletes, and co-workers, singing in the halls. He possessed a sharp wit, and could deliver a joke or do something outrageously funny. He was once voted “3rd funniest coach” in Texas, in which he responded, “I know 1 & 2 personally….they really are not that funny”. He loved kids, and he loved competition whether it was centered in athletics or academics, he simply wanted them to develop the tools to succeed in life. He was a “coach’s, coach” and felt privileged to be in the fraternity of Coaches. He felt blessed to share the sidelines with more than his share of tremendous coaches.

His grandchildren became the center of his universe. They gave him a tremendous amount of joy. “Grumps” would routinely take them on “sashay’s” around Water Valley in his golf cart, or to the “coffee shop”. His favorite quote was, “Without dreams, there is no reason to work, without work, there is no reason to dream”. In his passing, the word “great” has preceded many various descriptions of Rickey, however, he would actually attempt to deflect such praise. That is what made him exceptional, and he will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 26, 2014 at the Water Valley High School Gymnasium with Randy Levens officiating, burial will follow Water Valley Memorial Cemetery. Family visitation will be 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the Robert Massie Funeral Home. Services entrusted to Robert Massie Funeral Home.

A scholarship is being established in Rickey’s honor at Water Valley ISD.