Harlow Sheldon White

                                                           Harlow Sheldon White                     

                                                       October 26, 1931 – March 9. 2025

Harlow “Hal” was born to Otis Jeremiah and Opal Margie White in McMinnville. Oregon on October 26, 1931.  He was welcomed by brothers Eldon, Stanley and Clifford, later he welcomed sister Marlene and youngest brother, James into the tightknit religious family.   Harlow spent his childhood moving around western Oregon including Sheridan, Pleasant Hill and finally Detroit, Oregon where Harlow graduated.

Harlow was a quiet reflective child who loved to read, play with his siblings and ride his scooter.  He was 4 years old when his parents realized he was wakeful at night, sometimes due to his having an arthritic condition that caused excruciating pain in his joints.  Harlow endured this and much more while keeping a gentle, loving nature especially towards animals.  His pets throughout his life ranged from bumble bees, chickens, cows, a salamander, cats, and dogs, he always had an affinity towards nature and animals.  However, he did things just to see what would happen; from pepper sprinkled on the stove to the cow brought to the 2nd story of the school, for Harlow, life was an adventure.

Harlow grew tall and gangly, becoming involved in sports, he loved to dance and sing having natural rhythm and a smooth baritone voice.  At 16, he worked at a logging camp, then after graduating he applied to Western Electric where he worked about 5 years.  He enjoyed the work, but then he entered the Air Force during the Korean War.  He was stationed in Japan working special communications with Security Agencies.  After his service, he worked for The Oregonian for a couple years, then a chance meeting brought him back to Western Electric.  He met his first wife, Joanne, and they had a son, Charles and a daughter, Allison.  Right before Allison’s 1st birthday, Harlow was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and told after his surgery he only had 6 months to live. 

Harlow defied the odds, and after returning to work he started school to learn specialized computer systems for the phone company, where he stayed until retiring in 1986, then started his own phone installation business which he worked into his 80’s.  He divorced in 1974, then in 1977, Harlow married Charlene Bell Cooper, they enjoyed travelling when he worked out of state.  Together, they were active in their church, and they helped launch the local Christian broadcast network, Hal behind the camera keeping the technical part running.  They spent many years making trips and Harlow cared for her during the last years of her life before she passed in 2008.  He had wonderful relationships with her daughters Sandra Cooper and Peggy Cooper, along with Peggy’s son John and his wife Beka.  His life was filled with working on John’s horse ranch, Halibut fishing in Alaska, and spending time with his granddaughter Nicole’s family, husband Mike and their daughters, Harlow and Lettie.   

 He enjoyed being active all his life and took great joy in everything he did.  Harlow put his trust and faith in God, did his best to care for his family and will be missed by all who knew him.   Harlow’s memorial service is at Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom, 1350 Commercial St. SE Salem, OR 97302 on Sunday, June 1st, 2025 at 2pm.

 In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to an organization that encompasses the mercy and compassion of the teaching of Jesus Christ.