Thomas Olen White passed away in Billings on August 27, 2009.

He was born July 6, 1939 to Edward and Lucille Kendrick White.

His parents and his grandparents Tom and EsteLee Kendrick raised him at the Forks and The K ranch.

Tommy’s love of driving started early by driving his Grandfather around at the age of 5 and then reportedly driving a snow plow for Big Horn County, MT at the age of 7.

He attended Pine Butte, a one-room school, in grades 1 through 8. He then attended Sheridan High School and graduated from there.

During high school, he drove for Whitham Trucking.

In 1958 he married Nancy Masters.

Manville Kendrick gave them a wedding gift of $ 5000.00. Tommy used that for a down payment on his first Mack truck. He leased to Bell and Mooney out of Gillette.

In 1959, he moved back to Sheridan, where their son Kenny was born.

In 1960, Eddie, Lucille and Tommy bought out Pat Whitham and started White Trucking.

In 1965 Tom married Jean French; a son was born to them, Eddie.

In 1968 for a short time he was married to Billie Sweet.

In 1972, he met Melba Wilson, they united in marriage in 1974 and a larger family unit was formed with Greg, Michelle, Nita and Tina.

In 1976 Sonny Holmes bought out Eddie and Lucille and formed White Transport and 10-4 Diesel.

In 1994 Tom left White transport, began White Trucking, and had leased to Bruce Herden, East West Motor Express and Diversified Transport and Storage.

In 2001 he sold his last truck to Eddie and continued to drive for him until Sept. 2007, where he finished fall run and decided to retire.

Tom was blessed with a very special companion, Merle Stevens who had remained his faithful sidekick since April of 2009. They enjoyed each others sense of humor and company very deeply.

His parents, Edward and Lucille Kendrick White, preceded Tommy in death.

He is survived by his son Kenny (Sue) White of Columbus, their children Alynne (Jason) Rhodes, and their two daughters, Todd (Devan) Keller, and their daughter, along with Thomas and Nancy White; Son Greg (Debbie) Pfau of Sheridan, their children, Summer (Jim), Charlie (Andrew) and daughter and son, and Sarah Pfau; daughter Michelle (Chad) Lemmon, of Cody, WY, their children Alex (Chris) Knudtson, and her daughter, Tim (Sara) Knudtson, and Chace; son Eddie, (D. Peterson) of Billings, and his son Hayden Hamilton, daughter, Nita Stewart of Billings, and her children, Cody Stewart, his son, Kelsey (Anna) Tetschner, and their son, and Katelin Stewart; and daughter, Tina (Tom) Cubbage of Great Falls, and their children Hannah and Jacob; and cousins, John Taylor, Lampasas, TX, Pat Applegate, Long Beach, CA and Pam Winterholler of Sheridan.

The true love of Tommy’s life was spending time with his family, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

He loved listening to stories as well as telling them.

He will be forever missed.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Jeff Johnson, Rolo, Marla and the rest of the staff at St. Vincent’s for their great care.

Memorial services will be Monday, in Sheridan, WY at Champion Ferries Funeral Home at 11 am with a reception following at the Elks Club.

Memorials may benefit the Special K Ranch greenhouse operation fund, Po Box 479, Columbus, MT 59109.

The Sheridan Press - August 29, 2009.