John O’Dea White, a longtime resident of Walnut Creek, CA, passed away peacefully with family at his bedside on October 18, 2026. He was born on July 24, 1946 in Portland, OR, to Henry and June White.
John was a proud US Army Vietnam veteran, having served as a medic in a MASH unit. He grew up in Walnut Creek, exploring the foothills of Mt. Diablo and fossil hunting on Shell Ridge and beyond. He was a 1964 graduate of Las Lomas High School. His interest in fossils led to a BA degree in paleontology from UC Berkeley. He was a PhD candidate in biochemistry at UC Davis.
John was a talented lifelong artist and created many vibrant watercolor and oil paintings along with figure drawings. He enjoyed music and played the piano.
Beloved brother of Winifred Hargreaves Scott and Henry Arthur White III, uncle to Catherine Lydia White, Henry Andrew White, Winifred Scott, and Dora Scott. Predeceased by parents Henry Arthur White Jr. of Portland, OR, and Patricia June White of Wellington, New Zealand.
A funeral will be held at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Lafayette, at 11 AM on Tuesday, November 3.