Johnie E White

Johnie Edward White, known to many as “John” or “Johnny,” passed away on May 31, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 80. Born on March 23, 1945, in Thatcher, Arizona, to John M. White and Mary E. Green White, John lived a bold and hardworking life rooted in family, faith, and the western spirit. He was fearless and determined, always pursuing the next project or passion with grit and enthusiasm. John was incredibly social and deeply valued connections with others. John passed on his wisdom to his children by challenging them to think through riddles or reading to his family at bedtime. He took pleasure in gathering with loved ones and sharing coffee and conversation with fellow ranchers and businessmen in his community. 

John was a true entrepreneur, owning and operating a variety of businesses throughout Tucson, but his greatest joy came from ranching. He raised his three eldest daughters on a 40-acre property before purchasing the Pantano Ranch in 1985, where he moved his family and ran several hundred head of cattle until 1996. He later relocated to Oracle, Arizona, where he raised his youngest daughter. He enjoyed tending to his orchard and adding improvements to his Oracle paradise. Whether it was starting a new business or improving a property, he loved building and creating. John stayed busy working on projects that reflected both his tireless energy and his creative spirit.

 An authentic cowboy at heart, John brought his family together every summer on an old dairy farm he purchased in Hartville, Missouri. There, they worked side by side cutting thistles, tagging cattle, baling hay, and soaking up time as a family—swimming in the river and catching crawdads and fireflies. John ran Maine-Anjou cattle on that Missouri farm and proudly introduced the breed to Tucson’s livestock scene. John was a member of the National Cattlemen’s Association, the AQHA, and the NRA.

 Johnie is survived by his children: Michai, Diana, Rebecca, and Onjalee; and his grandchildren: Tabatha, Brandon, Zachariah, Matthew, and Mikalie. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, four brothers, and one sister. He was preceded in death by three of his sisters.

 Above all, John loved Jesus and his family. When his daughter was grieving the death of her maternal grandfather, John sat with her and read Ecclesiastes 12, pointing her to its final verse. He reminded her of the conclusion found in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” John explained that while death comes for us all, even the wisest man in history searched the depths of life and time, and still came to this simple truth. Our focus, he said, should always be on fulfilling this one duty. In the end, reuniting with God and being in His presence is all that matters. 

John will be laid to rest at Gila Valley Memorial Gardens in Safford, AZ, near his parents, in late August.