Daniel Ray White

Daniel Ray White, 62, passed away peacefully at his home in St. Francis, Minn., Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.  Born to Floyd and Jackie White in Blytheville, Daniel was an OG Circle Drive kid. He held the friendships he had growing up in the neighborhood near and dear to him until his death.

He graduated from BHS in 1980 with honors and was president of his class. The great circle of friends Daniel had from grade school on he still has today.  Daniel moved to Little Rock where he worked at Fuller and Sons Hardware for his father-in-law. He graduated from UALR with a BA in history and later earned a master’s degree in environmental biology at ASU while raising a family. His contact in the hardware business led to his working with Orgill Brothers Hardware for the last 26 plus years as a sales and marketing rep.

Daniel was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at ASU. He was held in high regard by his Pike brothers. Many stories of his exploits need not be discussed here.

Daniel was an Eagle Scout and a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow.  While with the Scouts, Daniel hiked the trails at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, N.M., and attended a couple of National Jamborees. He worked with the Explorer Scouts leading canoe expeditions down the White River. He loved hunting and fishing and was an avid bird watcher.  He was a Cardinals and avid Razorback fan and kept a tailgating spot at Deb’s parking in Fayetteville.

Daniel moved to Elk River, Minn., in July 2021 for a job move. He became an active member of the Elk River Baptist Church. A regular reader of the Bible, he had a great knowledge of the scriptures and the teachings of Jesus Christ. He bought a home in St Francis, Minn., that backed up to the Rum River and was a regular sanctuary for bald eagles, turkeys and various other birds and animals that he would post pictures of on Facebook. His love for nature was awesome.  Every bird that landed on his feeder, he knew what they were right off the bat, and if he was not sure, he had a book to look them up. If he were on a hiking trail and saw some poop, he would know what animal was in the area.  Daniel was the happiest man on earth up in Minnesota.  As always, Daniel made a whole host of friends. He was appointed and proud to serve on St. Francis Planning Commission.

His love for trivia led him and others to form the Boomers of the DJ Trivia League. The Boomers trivia team were virtually unbeatable at Beef O’Brady’s and won the championship trophy this year.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Jackie White, and his sister, Norma Ann Brees.

Daniel is survived to cherish his memory by his daughters who he loved dearly, Olivia, Maisen and Celeste of Little Rock, Debbie Johnson (fiance) of St Francis, Minn.; brother, Steven White (Mallory) of Jonesboro; nieces, Chelsea Thompson (Jon) of Jonesboro, Anna Beth Riggs (Chris) of Ft. Collins, Colo., Laura Brooksbank (Aaron) of Cookeville, Tenn., Katherine White (Shane Crawford) of Kennett, Mo., Jackie and Nina Brees of Blytheville; and great-niece and nephew, Evie and Jack Thompson of Jonesboro.

Services will be held in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel Saturday, Aug. 17, at 10 a.m. with Dr. Eddie Clemons officiating.  Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday, Aug 16, from 5-7 p.m. at Cobb Funeral Home.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.