Dr. Jack O. White Collection

Jack Okey White was born on January 19, 1927, in Keystone, West Virginia. After graduating from Northfork High School, White served in the U.S. Air Force Band, Units 725 and 776, and directed the Air Force Jazz Ensemble from 1945 to 1947. White earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, in 1950, and a Master of Education in Music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1961. Dr. White earned his Ph.D. from New York University in 1979; his dissertation was entitled, “Renold Otto Schilke: His Contributions to the Development of the Trumpet”. He also earned 6 credit hours of post-graduate coursework from Michigan State University.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, White taught music at Lebanon High School, VA, from 1950 to 1954; George Wythe High School, VA, from 1954 to 1959; and Cary High School, NC, from 1959 to 1962. At each school he was also the band director. After earning his master’s degree, he was hired by Elon College, NC, where he worked until 1986. After Elon, he worked during semi-retirement at Wytheville Community College, VA, and finally served as the founder/conductor of the Wytheville Community Band.

Dr. White had numerous accomplishments during his life and career. He formed his first band while in the eighth grade in Keystone, WV. As an educator, he taught and mentored thousands of high school and college students, as well as fellow musicians. He arranged music for numerous bands and music groups and served as an adjudicator and clinician in music competitions. At Elon College (now University), he led the marching band, “The Showband of the Carolinas”, and along with Dr. David Bragg co-founded Elon’s jazz ensemble, The Emanons. This ensemble gained international renown through twenty-three tours of east coast high schools, as well as tours of U.S. military installations in Germany and Puerto Rico. In 1964, the ensemble was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Terry Sanford for service to the State of North Carolina. In 1971, The Emanons were named an “All American Entertainment Troupe” by the United States Armed Forces. Governor Robert Scott designated The Emanons as Good Will Ambassadors for the State of North Carolina in 1972. Two of the ensemble’s international tours, sanctioned by the U.S. Department of State, featured the Emanons as headliners at the Grand Ball of Luxembourg playing for the Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg.

Dr. White was recognized as Elon’s Outstanding Professor in 1968 and 1969. Upon his retirement from Elon in 1986, he was named Professor of Music Emeritus. in 1995, he was awarded the Elon University Medallion for outstanding service to the university. In 2012, he was named Band Director Emeritus.

Dr. White was married to JoAnn O’Dell White for 62 years, from 1950 until her passing on November 28, 2012. They had two sons, John Frederick White II and Reginald White. He was a grandfather and great-grandfather. Dr. White died on December 15, 2019, in Jacksonville, Florida, after several years of declining health. He was 92 years old.