Robert Leamon White was born in Marlin, TX on May 3, 1945 to Dean and Eunice White. He grew up and graduated from Bremond High School in 1963. Dean was a lifelong farmer and rancher while Eunice was a teacher. Through these years Robert developed a deep love of agriculture while raising cattle, corn, and ultimately his favorite crop of peanuts. After high school, he attended Sam Houston State University where he graduated in 1969. After working two years for the Union Pacific Railroad in Houston, he began teaching at New Caney ISD. Robert would travel every weekend back to Bremond to help his father.

In New Caney, he met his first wife Gayle in the school cafeteria. After marrying Gayle, they obtained their Masters' degrees together.  He and Gayle began teaching at Hearne ISD and then moved to Franklin ISD to finish out their teaching careers. His son, Russell was born in 1979 and daughter, Amy, was born in 1981. Through the years, Robert continued teaching, ranching, and raising peanuts.

After Gayle's death in 1997, Robert continued teaching at Franklin ISD. After heart surgery, Robert met the second love of his life, Wanda, at his cardiologist's office. He gained two more daughters, Brooke and Paige. Robert retired from teaching in 2006. After retirement, he became a professional unpaid committee member. He served on the Robertson County Water Board, FSA Board, Robertson County Appraisal Board, and others, but his favorite and deeply satisfying role was serving on the Robertson County Fair Board. He was the Robertson County Swine Superintendent for many years.

Robert had a profound love of the young people in his classroom and those he met and touched through the Robertson County Fair Association. "Mr. White" was a common line at Walmart, auto part stores, etc. No matter where he went, former students and those he met at the fair still remembered, "Mr. White." The youth gravitated towards his humor, demeanor, and ultimately his way of teaching and leading the accountability he expected from each of them. His lessons extended well beyond the classroom.

Although Robert achieved much success professionally and in his private life, his greatest joy were his grandchildren, Jack, Abigayle, Carter, Luly, Brie, Kylea, Liam, and Dru. He enjoyed the kids spending weekends at Papaw's and Grandma's. The kids enjoyed the mantra of "what happens at Papaw's and Grandma's, stays and Papaw's and Grandma's".

After a hospital stay, Robert wanted to be home when God took him home. Through prayers and God's Will, he returned home on September 14th. He was able to spend this week "checking" cows and enjoying the comfort of his breezeway where he enjoyed to sit. Robert died on September 20, 2024 surrounded by family at his home in Franklin, TX.

He was preceded in death by his father Dean, his mother Eunice, and his first wife, Gayle. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, his children, Russell and wife Lisa, Amy and husband, Jason, Brooke and husband, Felipe, Paige and friend Eric, and his grandchildren, Jack, Abigayle, Carter, Luly, Brie, Kylea, Liam, and Dru.

Robert lived a wonderful life. He enjoyed his family, friends, ex-students and youth, and those he socialized with along the way. Robert's devotion to his family, his dedication to community service, and his adherence to being a "good man" in all his endeavors are a model for us all to follow.

Services for Robert White will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church, Franklin, Texas. A burial will follow in the Herds Prairie Cemetery in the community of Petteway in Robertson County, Texas. There will be a visitation with family on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 5:30-7:00 P.M. at McCauley Funeral Home in Franklin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, food, etc. please make a donation to the Robertson County Fair Association.

Mail to:

RCFA

PO Box 1366

Franklin, TX 77856