David Henry White, Jr.

With love, the family of David Henry White announces his death on June 4, 2025, at the age of 80. David was a devoted husband and a proud father and grandfather. He loved and was faithful to his church, and he enjoyed a long career as a professor of history at The Citadel. David was also committed to his time of service in the United States Marine Corps. He loved to drive his Mustangs and old trucks, and a new Mustang always made his life a little bit happier. David led a life grounded in faith, family, education and service.

Born on February 13, 1945, in Charlotte, North Carolina, David was the son of David Henry White and Alda McConnell White. He earned his undergraduate degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by a Master’s degree and PhD from Tulane University.

In 1973, David began his teaching career at The Citadel, where he remained a dedicated Professor of History for many years. His students may remember him for a popular course he taught which demonstrated how American history was portrayed in classic western movies-especially those starring John Wayne. David enjoyed getting to know his students, and guiding and mentoring them was often the activity he loved most. He also enjoyed engaging with cadets outside of the classroom and often invited students to his home for family dinners.

Before his academic life, David served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. After returning home and completing his graduate studies, he continued serving in the Marine Corps Reserves and retired with the rank of Colonel. His sense of duty and discipline carried through every aspect of his life, including his early days as a professor when he would run with his colleagues from The Citadel to the Battery or Charles Towne Landing during a break in classes.

David’s faith in God was a fundamental part of his life. He served as Senior Warden at The Church of the Holy Communion, and in later years, he was a member and served as Junior Warden at Saint James Anglican Church. His faith was often shown in the quiet way he cared for his family and his church.

David met the love of his life, Dale Creighton, in 1961 in a high school English class. They dated through college and were married during a memorable ice storm in 1968. Their partnership lasted for 57 years, and together they raised their four children and many treasured pets, including their last Labrador retriever, Obadiah.

David is survived by his wife Dale and their children Carey Cochran, Anna Wilcox (Ryan), Molly Johnson, and Charlie White (Shae). He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Beauregard, Maisie, Langdon, Emily, Henry, and Benjamin. His grandchildren brought so much pleasure to David when he took them for walks in their strollers, read books to them about trucks, and more recently, watched them play with a smile on his face.

David will be remembered for his kindness, intellect, humor, love of history, and commitment to the people and causes he believed in. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched-through his teaching, his service, and his family.

A funeral service will be held for David at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at St James Anglican Church, 1101 Camp Road, Charleston. Interment will follow in the St. James Episcopal Churchyard, 1872 Camp Road, Charleston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint James Anglican Church or the Charleston Animal Society.

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