Oren Jack White
Born April 14, 1914- Lansing, Michigan
Died September 29, 1984 - Alanson, Michigan
Member Gaylord Masonic Lodge - 1961

He was born Oren Jack White, but went through his entire life known as Jack Oren White. This wasn't discovered even by his sons until 1993 when finally getting a copy of his birth certificate, after the State of Michigan failed to find one for Jack Oren White. He was born in Lansing and graduated from Lansing Central High School in 1932 at age 18. He was suspended 1 semester for getting into a fight with the star football player Pete Genaris.

His father, Oren Arwood White, had him pre-enrolled in the forestry program at Michigan State University when Jack graduated from high school. Both Jack and his dad were avid hunters and fisherman, and his dad thought that this would be the best career choice for him. He refused to attend, and like his father, wanted to be a tool and die maker. He worked for a couple of years in miscellaneous jobs such as pumping gas, unloading boxcars and farming. He began his tool and die apprentiship at Oldsmobile in 1936 at 41 cents an hour. This was the same year he married Ruth Helen Lenz, whom he had known for several years. He worked at the following places after getting his journeyman's card:

Oldsmobile until 1941 (started at 41cents an hour)
Wayne Tool & Die, Detroit
Hoover Tool & Die, Detroit
Star Tool & Die, Detroit
Vinco Tool & Die, (9 mile), Detroit
Olefsons Tool & Die, Lansing 1942-1943
American Tool & Die, Kalamazoo, 1944
Adams Tool & Die, Lansing, 1945-1947

From 1947 until 1955 Jack and Ruth owned and operated Lansing Catering Company beginning with $3000 borrowed from dad. The business did well until they were forced to sell to an Italian gentleman in 1955. Jack then worked at:

Industrial Tool & Die, Lansing, 1955 (3 months)
Lansing Tool & Die, Lansing, 1956 (4-5 months)
Demmer Tool & Die, Lansing, 1956-1960
Standard Products Co. Gaylord, 1960-1973 (Retired)

After retiring from Standard Products, he owned and operated Jack's Septic Tank Service where his motto was, "Where a straight flush always beats a full house". Even after open heart surgery in 1983 (replacing a mitral valve) he was right back in the seat pumping tanks. He never charged anyone who was over the age of 65.

Children from their marriage:

Jack Eugene White - June 19, 1943 - July 28, 1993
Jan Arwood White - May 17, 1947

Oren Jack White - Circa 1914

High School Graduation
Central High School - Lansing, Michigan
Circa June 1932

Journeyman's Card - Circa 1945

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Revised May 1st, 1999