John Hale White
Soldier. Banker. Rancher. Born: November 5, 1945, Coronado, California. Died: December 25, 2016, Council Grove, Kansas.
John Hale White was born to Hale and Carlene (Gufler) White on November 5, 1945, in Coronado, California. He grew up in Council Grove. He earned a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University in 1967 where he was an ROTC Cadet Commander. He completed his law degree at the University of Kansas. Following graduation he served in active duty and later in the Kansas Army National Guard retiring at the rank of colonel in 1992.
White married and Marty Reynolds on August 9, 1969, at Colonial Church in Prairie Village. They had three children; a daughter died in infancy. He became the fourth generation of his family to join the Farmers and Drovers Bank where he served as president from 1990 to 2014. He was serving as CEO and chairman of the board at the time of his death.
John also was a rancher and farmer. He grew up fixing fence, attempting to eradicate musk thistle, and locating stray cattle. For many years he was involved with C.H. White and Sons, a family agricultural operation. When visitors came, he took pride in taking them to the pastures and showing Santa Fe Trail ruts and sharing the rich history of the area. His family hosted the third Symphony in the Flint Hills where they welcomed thousands of visitors to their Lakeview Pasture south of Council Grove.
Dedicated to his community, he was a member of the Rotary, served on the Council Grove Chamber of Commerce, as the president of the Greater Morris County Development Corporation, and trustee of several charitable foundations.
He died on December 25, 2016, at his home in Council Grove. He was a life member of the Kansas Historical Society.
Entry: White, John Hale
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: December 2016
Date Modified: January 2017
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
