David Edwin White

David Edwin White passed away peacefully on March 31 at his home of 62 years in Casa Grande. He was born in Calexico, California, on July 12, 1926 to William and Margaret White. He came to Casa Grande with his family when he was 9 months old. He attended Casa Grande Union High School until his senior year when he transferred to Buckeye High School where he graduated in 1944. He joined the Navy after high school and served two years. After his discharge, he attended the University of Arizona for a year where he played on the freshman football team and became a Wildcat fan for life. He left the University of Arizona after his freshman year and returned to Casa Grande where he began working for the City of Casa Grande, as a lifeguard at the swimming pool. While working for the City, he met his future wife, Mary Crabtree, and married her in 1949. He and his wife had four boys: Dave Jr., Steve, Mark and Kevin.

Dave’s career with the city was long and notable. He quickly rose to be Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. In that capacity, he planned and landscaped many of the city’s parks, including O’Neil Park and North Mountain Park. His pride

and joy, however, was the development of the City’s municipal golf course and the park associated with it. They are largely the product of his vision and passion.

In addition to his development of parks in the city, he was also responsible for initiating numerous recreation programs, including softball, basketball, and golf leagues. Perhaps most notably, however, he implemented and oversaw a swim lesson program that became a right of passage for many Casa Grande youth. He took great pride in the fact that he taught hundreds of kids to swim over his many years with the City. In addition to serving as Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, Dave also served stints for the city in numerous other capacities over the years. These positions included planning and zoning coordinator, Sanitation Superintendent and Assistant City Manager. He even found time to repair parking meters for the city and to lead the annual holiday expedition up to the mountains to cut down the City Christmas tree.

In addition to his work with the city he was very involved with numerous civic activities. He helped start Little League Baseball in Casa Grande and maintained the fields for many years. He was one of the original founders of O’Odham Tash, a popular festival that celebrated Native American culture. He served twice as President of the O’Odham Tash Committee and helped to make it a popular event that drew large crowds and state-wide attention in the 1970’s and 80’s. In addition, he also was a member of the Jaycees and the Elks Club.

Upon his retirement from the City in 1981, the municipal golf course and the associated park were named after him in recognition of his many contributions to the community.

After leaving the City in 1981, he went into business with his son Dave Jr., opening four successful video rental stores in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. He owned and operated the stores with his sons Dave and Steve until his retirement.

He is survived by his sons David Jr., Mark and Kevin, 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, and his son, Steve.

A celebration of life will take place on Monday, April 4, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Casa Grande.