Gene White

Gene was Converted at Buchanan St. Chapel, when it was still Tabernacle Baptist Church, and baptized there when he was 6 years old, by J.C. Sisemore, pastor. Became a member of FBC, Amarillo in January 1936 at age 9. He Attended Amarillo College and Texas Tech University at Lubbock, and answered the call to the ministry while a student at Tech. Licensed to preach by FBC, Amarillo in September 1948, and transferred from Tech to Oklahoma Baptist University to prepare for ministry. On August 9, 1949 Gene became first young man to be ordained to the gospel ministry after Carl Bates became pastor of First Baptist, Amarillo. After graduation from OBU, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a divinity degree while Esther worked so he could attend seminary. Gene Married to Esther Lee Selvey of Blackwell, Okla. Aug. 13, 1950. He was Father of four sons: Stevan Alan, Apr. 14, 1958; Bryan James, Oct. 15, 1965; Lelan Martin Nov. 4, 1967; and Kenan Griffith, Dec. 7, 1970. Also father of one daughter: Elsa Jeanne, May 17, 1962. Gene Occupied staff position of Baptist Standard from 1959-1964, was managing editor of A Journal of Church & State, published in Washington, D.C., and was editor of Charity & Children, official publication of Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina. He Returned to hometown of Amarillo in 1971, and worked as a freelance writer, a reporter for Globe-News Publishing Co., and finally as manager of News & Publications for Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Amarillo campus. Retiring from that position in 1991. He Served as pastor of churches in Oklahoma and Texas and was founding pastor of Rollingwood Hill (now West Mesquite) Baptist Church. While working in the field of journalism, also served as interim pastor or supply pastor in Texas, Maryland, and North Carolina. Revivals or supply in several states, the District of Columbia, and Ontario, Canada. Gene Addressed state Baptist conventions of Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, & Georgia. Delivered opening address at Protestant Pavilion for New York World Fairview Cemetery in 1960. He Published articles in 27 state Baptist papers and several LifeWay publications, when it was still Baptist Sunday School Board, as well as Baptist publications in Canada, England, and Nigeria. He Contributed to several non-Baptist religious publications (Christian Herald, The Pulpit, War Cry, Together.) Also several non-religious magazines (Ford Times, Farm Journal, Lady's Circle, McCall's.) Gene was a Member of Mission Service Corps for 10 years, writing & editing "New Church News" for Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, a quarterly newsletter for and about new churches in Texas. He Held membership in the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.; the American Medical Writers Association and held several offices in the organization; and several other writers' groups, both national and regional. He Received numerous awards (state, national, and one international), for both religious and medical articles. After retirement from active ministry he taught Henry Brown Sunday School Class at FBC Amarillo for 19½ years. Survivors: wife, Esther, of Amarillo; children and their spouses, including grandchildren: Stevan and Carol and their sons John and Philip great-grandson Benjamin Eugene; Jay and Elsa Williams and their children, Elin, Jaron, Erin, and Jaxon of Richardson; Bryan and Susan of Amarillo; Lelan, "Lem," of Dallas; and Ken of Amarillo and his two sons Griff and "Chas" of Redwing, Minnesota.

Visitation Schedule

Cox Funeral Home 4180 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79109 Thursday, July 17, 2014 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Service Schedule

Church Service First Baptist Church Chapel 1208. S. Tyler Amarillo, TX Friday, July 18, 2014 2:00 p.m.