Major John Frederick White

Major John Frederick White was promoted to Glory on September 11, 2026. Born December 30, 1943, in Houston, Texas to Frank and Francis Miriam (Fox) White, John lived a life of faithful service to God as a soldier and officer in The Salvation Army.

As a young musician, John attended the Territorial Music Institute at Camp Grandview, where he accepted Jesus as his Savior on August 28, 1958. A year later, he responded to the call of God on his life to become an officer in The Salvation Army. He was ordained and commissioned on June 5, 1965, as a member of the Proclaimers of the faith session.

During his ministry he served as an assistant corps officer and corps officer in 14 communities throughout Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Virginia. He also served in divisional staff appointments in the North and South Carolina, National Capital and Virginia, Texas, and Florida Divisions, and twice served at The Salvation Army’s Southern Territorial Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. His calling also led him to serve overseas, twice at Territorial Headquarters in Brazil (3 years) and at Command Headquarters in Portugal (3 years).

Brass bands were also a large part of John’s ministry. He played euphonium in the Territorial Band for 25 years and was appointed as the Divisional Youth Bandmaster and led Youth Bands in the Georgia; North and South Carolina; Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi; and Texas Divisions. He also led corps bands at the Miami Hialeah, Jackson, and Lisbon corps. In 2025, the North and South Carolina Division named one of its bands at Music Camp in his honor.

The Salvation Army published four seminars that he wrote:

Holysport - a soul-winning seminar written because it was the priority in his life; it was also published in Spanish and translated into four other languages, with over 25,000 copies printed.

The Army on Time - a leadership and personal management seminar.

Prayer Warriors—Steps to Prayer - a seminar regarding the various possible effective methods of the Christian’s prayer life.

As Your Money Burns - a seminar to assist Christians in their battle with credit card debt and moving towards being loyal givers.

John’s favorite Scripture verse, Colossians 1:18 was his prayer in all, appointments, “And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” He retired on January 1, 2010, having faithfully served for over 43 years.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Francis White; his stepfather, Tom Woodward; his brother, Frank White Jr.; and his sister-in-law, Patricia White.

He is survived by his brother, Edward White; his sister, Kay Gish (Randy); his nieces, Angie Epps (Curt), Crystal Whitehorn (Jason), and Brina Clark (Richard); his nephews, Steve White (Sarah) and Carson Gish (Shawna); and many beloved great-nieces, great-nephews, and a great-great-niece.

The memorial service will be October 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Kroc Center. A private burial was held at Westover Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to The Salvation Army, Augusta Kroc Corps Community Center, 1833 Broad St, Augusta, GA, 30904 or Mission NextGen, 3361 Ravenwood Drive, Augusta, GA 30907 in honor of Major John F. White.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com