A son honors his father, Curtis White for Father’s Day

Dorene and Curtis White. “What makes my dad, Curtis White, special to me and my three siblings is that we know he really loved us and cared about us,” writes his son Larry. Photo credit: White file photos

by Larry White

What makes my dad, Curtis White, special to me and my three siblings is that we know he really loved us and cared about us. We were not wealthy by American standards, but certainly had everything we needed. He was a good provider. We wanted for nothing. The four of us actually had it pretty easy. We were able to go to four-year colleges. We have fond memories of family vacation trips, days at the lake, family picnics with the neighbors and much more.

I remember Dad taking me to Stockbridge High School away games (basketball, football, baseball) as a young boy, including fond memories of some of those old cracker box gyms, such as the one in Okemos. I also remember traveling over ice-covered roads to Jenison Field House in East Lansing to see a barn burner of a basketball game between Michigan State and Ohio State. As a coach of younger basketball players, Dad taught me that players develop better defensively by playing man to man rather than zone.

Dad and Mom helped me immensely as a single parent. For four years they housed and lovingly cared for my young Brian and Betsey while I worked weekdays. A few years later, they bailed me out financially during a bad stretch before I got back on my feet. Later, when I remarried, Dad and Mom were most welcoming and accepting and kind to my three new children: Alyssa, Lara, and Noah.

Unfortunately, Dad died less than two years after I remarried. I am forever grateful, Dad, for all you did for me and Amy and our children and your love for all of us.