In Memoriam: John T. White, President and Owner, Performance Printing Company/Optigraphics
Performance Printing Company/Optigraphics is sad to announce that John T. White, president and owner, has passed away after a battle with multiple myeloma. He was 61.
White was a gifted lawyer, businessman, athlete and craftsman whose sense of humor, zest for living and love of his family will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to share his life. Since 1990, he has been the president and owner of Performance Printing Company, a nationally recognized printer of specialty items such as 3-D and simulated motion products on plastic and other difficult applications. However, his outside interests made him a truly renaissance man whose intelligence and inquisitive nature led him into hobbies as diverse as electrical installation, woodworking, cooking, sports and a lifelong passion for history and literature.
Born in McKinney, Texas on November 13, 1951, he was raised in a highly competitive family of four other brothers, Thomas, Carl, Sims and Greg, all of whom survive him. After the family moved to Corsicana, Texas, John was popular and successful in school, being both a star athlete, President of the Future Farmers of America club, and President of the student body. His achievements landed him a place in the Harvard Class of '74 where he was somewhat of a rarity, being a relatively conservative and easy-going Texas country boy in a liberal East Coast environment. He was 100% of the membership of the Young Republicans in his class at Harvard, and the only disc jockey for the school's country music radio station at the time. Nonetheless, he continued to excel in sports and academics and went on to receive a law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1977, where he made law review. Following graduation, he formed the law firm of White, Cox and Larsen, and, after a merger with the Austin firm of Brown Maroney, decided to work in the printing business as president of Performance Printing.
John is survived by the love of his life, Nan Shertzer White, his wife of 27 years. He and Nan were never apart, traveling and a enjoying life together that was an inspiration to all who knew them. He also leaves behind six children, John Taylor White, Jr. and his wife, Lindsay; daughter Kathryn C. Mosely and her husband Brian; Thomas S. White; James M. White and wife Samantha; and twins Nicholas O. White and Timothy P. White. He is also survived by his mother, Peggy White but was preceded in death by his father, Thomas P. White of Corsicana.
All of his family and friends will remember his enthusiasm, kindness and devotion to his family. John loved to spend time in the kitchen and was an excellent gourmet cook with Cordon Bleu training and skills developed in classes he took in San Miguel De Allende. His salsas, expertly crafted Mexican dishes and soups were the highlight of any visit to the White household. A self-described "gym rat," John was never happier than playing pick-up basketball 4-5 times a week with a large number of friends and acquaintances at the Veranda Club or the "mature players" game at the Cooper Aerobics Center on Thursday nights. During summer months he could always be found within earshot of the television or radio listening to his beloved Texas Rangers for which he had season tickets for many years. An accomplished woodworker, he spent many happy hours in his attic turning out exquisite and finely detailed pieces of furniture. In fact, as his final illness progressed, he was keenly interested in and successful in completing a set of wooden toy boxes for his six grandchildren as a legacy of love for them.
Gracious and thoughtful of others to the end, John impressed everyone with his kindness and serene acceptance of his fate. At all times in his last days, he was an inspiration and source of comfort to all, happy and peaceful in the knowledge that he was soon to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome in his name to the R. B. Thieme, Jr. Bible Ministries, P.O. Box 460829, Houston, Texas 77056. A memorial celebration of his life was held on his 27th wedding anniversary, January 18, 2013.
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