John Norman White

John Norman White passed away at his home on November 16. He was born February 28, 1938 in Hammond Indiana to the late Joel and Sophie White. White graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, with a BS Degree. Following graduation, he joined Delta Air Lines’ Marketing Division in Detroit, Michigan in 1960. Later promoted to Delta’s Headquarters in Atlanta GA, he continued his career in Delta’s advertising and promotional media programs. Many of his areas of responsibility were related to his creative talents and unusual gifts for writing and presentation. He was responsible for a variety of Delta’s internal and external programs and served as speechwriter and speech-coach for Delta’s senior executives. In handling Delta’s in-flight entertainment, he personally interviewed dozens of the world’s top show business celebrities and had an easy familiarity with entertainment celebrities and Hollywood studios. Following his retirement from Delta in 1990, White and his wife Martha founded Design Affiliates, Inc. publishing the aviation-related magazine AVION. Its worldwide distribution continued for 23 years. White’s global reach took the name of Newnan and Coweta County around the world. His office wall displays numerous plaques and awards highlighting a lifetime of civic contribution, including the local Optimist Club’s “Man of the Year” and the Coweta County Fire Department’s singular Lifetime Membership award. He received countless international film and video production awards, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the entertainment industry. In June of this year, he was awarded the Richard Brooks Visionary Award of Distinction for his dedication and contribution to local cultural and artistic enterprises. White moved to Coweta County in 1969 and immediately immersed himself in civic-related programs. As the primary mover in founding Coweta County’s fire department he served twelve years as Chairman of Coweta County’s Fire Commission. White served five years as Chairman of Coweta County’s Water Authority, served on the City of Newnan’s Cultural Arts Commission and has served as host for countless Newnan and Coweta County events. White was a gifted writer and graphic designer, woodworker, wood carver, metalworker, and outdoorsman. He was an exceptional speaker, a lover of music, and an enthusiastic singer of songs. He took as much pride in adeptly handling a chain saw and driving a tractor while wearing bib overalls as he did in emceeing formal events dressed in a tuxedo. Descriptive introductions of White included “the Leonardo Di Vinci of Delta Air Lines,” and “a multi-national, multi-faceted, and multi-talented Man of all Seasons.” In his later years, White became increasingly active in local civic affairs including Newnan Rotary, for which he became a familiar voice as Newnan’s 4th of July celebration Master of Ceremonies. White was an ardent supporter of the Coweta County Board of Education’s Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts. White is survived by his wife, Martha Smyre White. The two have three children: Mark Lucian White (Janice), Martha Elisa White Martin (Lee), and Julie Kathryn White (Michael). Grandchildren include Lindsey, Sam, and Molly Martin, and Ellie and Ellis Garner-White. White also has a brother Thomas Carlisle White (Beth). Anticipating his death, White remarked, “It’s been said that ‘life is a journey,’ and most of my life has been a magic carpet ride. I’ve embraced it fully and so very much embrace the people that have made that magic carpet fly.” The family invites friends to join them for a reception at The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, 1523 Lower Fayetteville Rd. in Newnan on Thursday, November 21 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. They will receive guests in the Gilot Gallery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in John’s name to the Centre for Performing & Visual Arts, P.O Box 1422, Newnan, GA 30264. Condolences maybe left to the family online at www.mckoon.com McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

John Norman White

February 28, 1938 - November 16, 2013