Edward Faith White, Jr.

Sailor, instructor, landlord, genealogist, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Captain Edward Faith White, Jr., USNR, 83, of Houston, TX, died on Friday, November 28, 2025. He was born on September 17, 1942, in Cincinnati, OH, to the late Edward Faith and Catharine Jane Bayles White. Ed joined the United States Naval Reserve (USNR) during his senior year at Withrow High School, in Cincinnati. After graduating in 1960, he continued as a reservist, while attending the University of Cincinnati (UC), and in June 1962, he entered active duty. He served in the Navigation Department on the USS Antietam (CVS-36), and later the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), eventually returning to the USNR as a navigation instructor and continuing his college studies. During the following years he was also a commercial diver in the oilﬁelds off Louisiana, a marine expediter on Dow Chemical’s Texas tanker docks, and a Merchant Marine sailor on seagoing tugs and tankers. He received his BBA from UC in 1973. In 1974-75 he attended graduate school at the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) in Cardiff, Wales. Between 1976 and 1986 he sailed as Captain on seagoing tugs and oilﬁeld supply vessels; he drilled with the Houston Naval Control Shipping Organization (NCSO). Between 1986 and 1994 he served on extended training duties as a shiphandling instructor on sit-in scale models at the Naval Amphibious School in Little Creek, VA. In 1990 he earned his Unlimited Master Mariner’s License in the Merchant Marine; in 1995 he was promoted to Captain USNR. He retired from the United States Navy in September 2002. He continued to work at sea for the next 10-15 years. In addition to the National Defense Medal, Ed was awarded the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Ribbon, and Riﬂe and Pistol medals; he was a lifetime member of the Naval Reserve Association. During his time ashore, he enjoyed working with his hands, improving his rental properties and his own home. He was also an enthusiastic genealogist, discovering and sharing family history. Ed is survived by his two daughters, Lucinda Jane Noble and husband Dr. John W. Noble, Jr., Lake Charles, LA, and Tara Marie White, Melbourne, KY; by his granddaughter, Madeline M. Noble, Dallas TX and grandson, John W. Noble, III, Dallas TX; by his sister Lucinda E. White and husband Thomas H. Kelley, Freeport, ME, and by his nephew Brendan Edward Kelley and niece Hannah Faith Kelley. During the last three years of his life, Captain Ed appreciated the friendly, helpful and kind staff at Silverado Hermann Park in Houston, where he lived, sharing his seagoing tales, and his dry sense of humor. A service and burial is planned for Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Remembrances may be made in the form of donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=oc-a1bVL000005RRKb); the Catharine and Edward F. White Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o University of Cincinnati Foundation (https://giveto.uc.edu/give?appeal=204871c4-a8e0-43bc-8e55-1a0ba5874fdf); or any other charity of your choice.

Edward Faith White, Jr.

September 17, 1942 - November 28, 2025