Larry Melvin White

Larry Melvin White, age 86, of Duchesne, Utah, passed away on March 8, 2026, with his wife Cynthia by his side, lovingly caring for him in his final moments. Born on May 6, 1939, in a two-room log house four miles north of Duchesne, Larry entered the world in a home built years earlier by his grandfather Oscar T. White and great-uncle Levi White for their parents, John C. and Mary Ann White. The eldest of eight children born to Melvin Baxendale and Lola Marie Baum White, he learned responsibility and the value of hard work from an early age, a foundation that shaped his life.

After graduating from high school, Larry attended Utah State University to study Forest Management. There he met Gail Miller, and they were married on September 15, 1959, in the Logan Temple. He earned his bachelor’s degree in June 1961 and began a distinguished career in agriculture and rangeland research. His professional path included early assignments with the Bureau of Land Management in Miles City, Montana, and Belle Fourche, South Dakota. In 1966, he joined the Agricultural Research Service in Sidney, Montana. While working full time, he continued his studies, earning a master’s degree in Agronomy and a doctorate in Plant and Soil Science. As a research scientist, he worked primarily in Sidney and later in Woodward, Oklahoma, where he became known for his dedication. Over his career, Dr. Larry M. White authored or co-authored 60 published research papers.

Larry and Gail raised five children: Shawn, Dean, Glenn, Elaine, and Marvin. He blended his professional interests with family life, organizing range rides and plant identification contests and helping his children raise steers, horses, sheep, and even a rabbit. His love of horses remained a constant joy throughout his life. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Larry found deep meaning in temple work and family history research, preserving connections across generations.

Following retirement, Larry worked on dude ranches in Michigan, Colorado, California, and Arizona, combining his passion for horses with travel and outdoor life. He lived for a time in San Juan Creek, Colorado, before returning to Duchesne, Utah, and later spending winters in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There he met Cynthia Tsinnijinnie Billie, and they were married on May 12, 2018.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia; stepchildren Rhonda Brewer, Jessie Billy, and Tiffany Billie of Albuquerque, New Mexico; children Shawn (Carol) White of Richmond, Utah, Dean (Heather) White of Allen, Texas, Elaine (Rex) Dent of Boise, Idaho, and Marvin (Terri) White of Richmond, Utah; siblings Tom White of Sherwood, Oregon, Alan (Janice) White of Heber City, Utah, Gloria (Ray) Jensen of American Fork, Utah, and Penny (Tracy) Smith of Draper, Utah; 28 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his stepdaughter Leileda Billie, son Glenn White, parents Melvin and Lola White, brother Lynn White, and sisters Sherry Mitchell and Ann Marie White.