Retired Seventh District International Representative Clayton White, a leader and vocal advocate for the IBEW in Texas for more than four decades, died on Oct. 9. He was 71.

"He was a dedicated trade unionist," current Seventh District international representative and longtime friend Todd Newkirk said. "He was definitely a believer in what we do."

A third-generation IBEW member, Brother White was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He began his apprenticeship shortly after high school graduation and was initiated into Amarillo Local 602 upon becoming a journeyman wireman in 1974.

After serving in a variety of leadership roles, White became Local 602's business manager in 1986 and remained in that position until 2000, when he joined the district staff.

"Great guy," said Larry Chamberlain, now an international representative and Seventh District desk rep. "When I became a business manager in 1997, he was someone who came up and made me feel at home. He was the go-to guy when I was in a bind and looking for an answer to a question that I didn't have."

White's roots were in inside construction, but Local 602 also has members in outside and utility and previously had members in manufacturing.

That helped during his time as an international representative, when he serviced local unions in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, retired Seventh District International Representative Gary Buresh said.

White negotiated contracts for wiremen and utility and telecommunications members. He led contract negotiations at Pantex, a nuclear weapons and disassembly plant in the Texas Panhandle, and at an Asarco copper refinery.

"He understood the priorities and nuances of different parts of the membership," said Buresh, another longtime friend.

Current Local 602 Business Manager Robert Melton said White kept all the files from his career in a cabinet at his home. That proved valuable when Melton called on his predecessor for background information on cases and issues the local is dealing with today, Melton said.

White also attended Local 602's membership meetings and would drop in for a visit about every two weeks.

"He was the kind of guy who would walk in and you would instantly be giving a hard time to," Melton said. "Just a great sense of humor and great camaraderie."

Newkirk said the fact that White lived his entire life in West Texas — not known for friendliness to unions — likely had an impact on his work with the IBEW.

"He was always worried about how we are going to be able to organize and maintain our future," Newkirk said. "The challenge is to organize. I think that gets back to Amarillo and how big an obstacle it is to organize there.

"He lived with that fear," Newkirk added. "How are we going to thrive for the next 10 or 20 years?"

White retired in 2015. He had battled cancer in recent years but was doing well until contracting the West Nile virus. That led to a fatal case of meningitis.

His illness made meeting with some of his old friends in August especially poignant. Chamberlain, Buresh and Newkirk were part of a group that spent two days golfing and boating with White in eastern Oklahoma.

"It was great to see Clayton again," Chamberlain said. "I know he enjoyed it."

White was known for his sense of humor. He was often teased about being short of stature but gave it back as good as he got it, his friends said.

"He loved life, he loved his family, he loved the IBEW and wasn't afraid to share it with you," Chamberlain said. "He never shied away from anything he had to confront."

In retirement, White continued to live in Amarillo. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie; daughters Danielle and Shay; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was a fan of the Texas Rangers and sadly missed out on their recent exploits. Rangers won the World Series three weeks after he died.

The officers and staff send their condolences to Brother White's family during this difficult time.