Louis "Lou" Edward White

Louis Edward “Lou” White, 64, a resident of Columbia, Mo., passed away on Friday, October 21, 2022, at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital. 

Lou was born on October 2, 1958, in Moberly, the son of Joe Truman White and Ruby Gay Lawrence White. On September 15, 1996, in Clark, Missouri he married Betty Dodd Gray. She survives of the home. 

Lou served his country proudly in the United States Air Force for 3 years as an aircraft pneumatics hydraulic tech. He attended the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Mo., where he was honored to have an award, The Louis White Virtuoso Award, named after him in 1974. Lou had a love for music and had an extensive collection of old vinyl albums. He attended Moberly Area Community College as well as Linn State Technical College, where he obtained a technical degree. Lou had always wanted to work in the manufacturing industry because that is what his grandfather did. He worked at American Air Filter with his wife, Betty, and later worked for LB Classic Woodworks, where he worked installing cabinets and doing general carpentry. He finished his manufacturing career at A.B.B. where he was a painter for 13 years.  

In his early years, Lou was an avid MACC Greyhound Basketball fan and would travel all over to watch them play. He enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs and was an enthusiastic fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Lou had a love for sprint car racing and would travel all over the nation with his work friends to watch different races. He enjoyed his trip to Indianapolis where he attended the Indy 500 to watch the race and the time trials. His love of racing would lead him to race and build slot cars. His slot car business, Lou’s Tire Deal, was his business where he machined rubber tires to sell for slot car racers. Lou was an avid bowler and went to the national tournament on several occasions, where he rolled a 299 game in Reno one year. Lou loved flying kites and would travel to several states to different kite festivals. His prized kite was a red baron replica, which he loved to fly. 

Lou loved his family and cherished every moment that he was able to spend with them. He enjoyed going camping, which for Lou, was sleeping in his truck bed under the camper shell. Every year Lou volunteered his time as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, where he was always mistaken for Santa Clause because of his long white beard. 

He will be greatly missed and forever remembered by his wife of 26 years, Betty Dodd Gray of Columbia; two stepchildren, Shandra Clark and husband Teddy of Clarence, Mo. and Colby Gray of Fayetteville, Ark., four step grandchildren, Torey Clark, Terrell Clark, Micah Gray, and Marley McGuire. 

Lou was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Larry White. 

The family will greet friends and family on Friday, October 28, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel with military honors and Pastor Pat Garcia officiating. Interment will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Mo. with Pastor Teddy Clark officiating the committal service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Louis White Virtuoso Award at Missouri Military Academy or the charity of donor’s choice, c/o Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel 1610 N. Garth Ave. Columbia, MO 65202.

Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the White family. 

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