George Edward White

On the morning of Monday, November 18th, the family of George Edward White Jr. (Sonny) lost the heart and soul of their family, and the community of Jackson lost one of their most beloved.

Sonny passed just 2 months shy of his 78th birthday born January 23rd, 1947, to George Edward White Sr. and Lena Vernell White (McGuire). George Sr. having been from Buffalo Missouri and Vernell having been from Gotebo, Oklahoma, settled in Stockton, California.  They both worked at Gaines Market on El Dorado.  George Sr. had built a little home in 1849 South Tuxedo, where Sonny would spend his first 8 years.  In 1948 Sonny was joined by brother Bruce Wayne White (Buddy) and sister Reta Sue White (Susie) in 1949.  George Sr. had 2 sisters, 6 brothers and Vernell had 3 brothers and 7 sisters. The house was always full of cousins and there was never a shortage of playmates. 

Sonny attended Plymouth Elementary School and Amador High School (1961-1964). He played basketball, baseball and football.  He was a member of the band, playing trombone and served as their Vice-President.  Sonny also served as the Sgt. at Arms in his Sophomore year. Sonny acquired a love of baseball and has passed his love for that sport through the generations.  He made lifelong friendships in high school, which he has maintained through the years.

After high school, Sonny attended Sacramento City College where he earned his AA in Recreation.  During those years (the Vietnam era), he joined the Air Force Reserves, serving stateside as a Sgt at McClellan Air Force Base, being honorably discharged after 7 years of service.

After college, Sonny decided to make Amador County his home and started working at the Particle Board Plant as the Quality Control Production Foreman (the youngest ever), he went on to work also as an Insurance Agent for Farmers and he attempted to open his own Spa business when that was all the rage.  He eventually obtained his Building Contractors License as well and built some of the early homes he and his young family lived in.  In the early 80’s he took a job at the Volcano Telephone Company as their Purchasing Agent.  During these years he decided to go to Heating and Air School and obtained his Heating and Air License, shortly thereafter he went into business with his brother Bud to form B&G Heat and Air.  His son Joe and his son-in-law Paul have followed in his footsteps, both forming Heating and Air Business’ of their own here in Amador County.  Over the years he took all the knowledge he had and would do Title 24 Energy Calculations in his spare time.  In his later years, Sonny maintained all the business buildings in the New York Ranch Building Complex, which included New York Family Fitness Gym.  In 2012, he began to work exclusively for the Gym, where he continued to work.  Sonny’s skills, knowledge and patience would earn him many requests from family and friends to help with projects, of which he always accepted with a big ole smile.

When not working, Sonny had many hobbies and participated in many clubs and service organizations.  He served as the Director for the Argonaut Breakfast Lions Club and later became a member of the Jackson Lions Club where he enjoyed serving adult beverages at the Amador County Fair.  He was a volunteer for the Jackson Fire Department and when his sons were in high school, he was a member of the Quarterback Club.  He coached the Little League for all three of his sons, which took him from the age of 30 into his 50’s, Coach Sonny mentored many a generation.  He served on the Grand Jury and the Jackson Planning Commission for many years as well.  The last several years Sonny was one of the Judges of the Annual Mother Lode Cruiser Car Shows. 

In Sonnys’ life there were only two seasons, baseball and football.  He had a passion for baseball and football and was a die-hard Giants and Forty-Niner fan.  He traveled to many a game, however his favorite place was sitting in his chair with a Bud Light watching from home. Sonny’s other passions were cars, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and George Jones.  He enjoyed nothing more than tinkering on cars, especially if his sons were involved, listening to his country sipping on a bud light. He was especially proud of his 1949 Red GMC and was working on his 1989 Red Firebird for the last several years. 

You know there are many beautiful love stories, but ours is my favorite.  While working at Volcano Telephone Company, Sonny met Eloda Menzes (Lodie).  Their friendship grew over several years and upon learning she had been brought up in a die-hard Giants and Forty-Niner household the deal was sealed, and they were married December 31, 1992.  In short, they met, fell in love and lived happily ever after, unfortunately Lodie lost the love of her life just 6 weeks shy of what would have been their 32nd Wedding Anniversary.  As all love stories that endure decades, there are hills to climb.  This was no different, and when one stumbled, the other reached out to help lift the other up.  The last hill became a mountain, each continued to reach out, lifting the other up, the bond that grew from the experience some never attain, it can never be broken. Heartbroken, yet hopeful he will reach out and lift her up one more time…it was my honor George Sonny White, thank you for your gift of love.

Sonny was a kind, loving, dependable, gentle man with the patience of Jobe.  He rarely raised his voice and was always there when any family member or friend needed him.  He seldom had a bad day, a happy contented man, loved his home family and the life he had built. Sonny had a very special bond with his children and had a unique relationship with each one, he was in their lives every single day. He not only had a special relationship with his children but also with their significant others.  He just had a knack for making anyone around him feel his unconditional love.  When he was on his way to see you, it was always full of warmth, usually included some form of food, and maybe a bud light or two. The jokes were given.

Sonny (Pop/Dad) leaves behind his much-loved Son Justin White & Jessica Gomez; Son Joe and AnMaree White; Daughter Carly & Paul Gonzales; and Son Jacob White & Charlotte Tuipulotu.

Sonny (Papa/Poopaw) leaves behind his Pride and Joy, his grandchildren; Kaylee & Kasey White; Aidan & Mikayla Gonzales; and Jax and Jazmine White.

He also leaves behind his Giants and Forty-Niner cheering section: brother Buddy & Peggy White; sister Susie White; brother in laws Marty and MaryLou Menzes and Rod Menzes.

He leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews.

George, as he was known at the gym, will be greatly missed by his New York Family Fitness Family as well, his home away from home.  George enjoyed using his building skills, knowledge and joking abilities to spend the days away with all the friends he made over the years working there.  He would say if you “rest you rust” thru his struggles and therapies of the last 14 months he still went to work, and if he were here, he would still be working there today.

Sonny was diagnosed in September of 2023 with Pancreatic Cancer.  For 14 months, he fought a heroic battle, never complaining, only concerned with how it was affecting those he loved.  Sonny peacefully passed while at home surrounded by his loved ones.

Whether you called him George/Sonny/Coach/Brother/Dad/Pop/Papa/Friend or Jorge Blanco…. how BLESSED we were to have had him in our lives.

The family is Celebrating Sonny’s Life, Saturday January 25th at the Italian Picnic Ground from 1 to 3 pm.  Please dress comfortably in your favorite team jersey or t shirt. Come share your stories, camaraderie and a Bud Light toast to our unforgettable Sonny White. In lieu of flowers the family would request a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation. 

Sonny’s family would like to thank the Angels from Hospice: KAT, LISA and MADELINE, thank you for your kind, gentle caring of our beloved Sonny. Also thank you to many of his family and friends that made his last year special….

Sonny passed knowing he was loved.