Ronald "Ronnie" White

Ronald Alan White passed away on September 18, 2022 in Brenham, TX. He was born on April 19, 1959 in Waco, TX to Edna and Cecil White. He was the youngest of the family with 5 older sisters. He grew up in Bryan, TX and attended Bryan High School where he played baseball and ran cross-country. He later attended Blinn College in Brenham and played center field on the Buccaneer baseball team.

Ronnie spent over 40 years in the construction business in Bryan/College Station and surrounding areas. He started his own company in 2010 as Ronnie White Custom Home Building Inc.  Over the years he built a multitude of beautiful, quality homes for clients who often became repeat customers and good friends.

Being Dad to his daughters Katie and Megan gave Ronnie so much joy and was a role he treasured every day of his life.  He was the ultimate father, coaching their sports teams for many years, doing drop offs & pickups for their friend groups, always present and involved. He spent many years as beloved Coach Ron Dawg to the Challenge ‘88 Soccer girls. He was so proud of the beautiful young women his daughters became.  When Megan married, Ronnie was thrilled to welcome Kelby into the family, and he was so excited when they made him a PeePaw with the birth of their son Stratton this last year.

On April 20, 2002, Ronnie married Carol Jean Kankel, his Blinn College sweetheart and the love of his life.  They enjoyed 20 years building a beautiful life together. During this time the girls’ mom, Julie and her husband Phil, asked Ronnie to build their home 3 doors down from them in College Station.  The girls grew up surrounded by two loving families.  In the last few years, Ronnie & Carol built their forever home in the country in Brenham. Ronnie loved the farm life, fishing at the tank, mowing the pasture, viewing the beautiful sunsets, golfing with buddies at the Country Club, and enjoying local cuisine with Carol. He often said how happy he was in their new home and that he never planned to leave.

Ronnie had a large extended group of friends – lifetime friends from high school and college and from his long career in homebuilding, family members who he also considered as friends, buddies he golfed with for years in College Station and others with whom he enjoyed annual fishing trips. There were also new friends in the golfers who welcomed him into their group at the Brenham Country Club and the neighbors who were always willing to stop and share a story or advice.

Ronnie recognized that life was short and should be lived to the fullest.  He always had a smile on his face and never turned down a good dessert or ice cream. At family gatherings, everyone wanted the Uncle RonRon size dessert!  If you were ever with Ronnie around a sunrise or sunset, he made sure you stopped and viewed it because he knew you would never see another one like it. Ronnie always said he wanted to leave this world from the golf course and God was listening.  We know he is enjoying the beautiful greens in Heaven and will watch over us ‘til we are all together again.

Ronnie is much loved and survived by his wife, Carol White of Brenham, daughter Katie White of Lakeway, daughter and son-in-law Megan & Kelby Combest and grandson Stratton Boone Combest of Austin. He is also survived by his sisters & spouses Rhonda & Brad Wells, Donna Holick, and Betty & Sammy LoBello, in-laws David & Kathleen Kankel and Diane & Brian Markert.  He was beloved uncle to Matthew & Katy Markert, Kayla & Cole Lujan, Brianne Kankel, Tara & Bob Cahill, Chris & Stacy Holick, Kim Holick, Sarah Wells, Sharon & Brian Glidden, Bryan & Leigh LoBello, Michal & Kelli LoBello, Justin & Jenny LoBello, & Cara Ann DeBacco.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Carolyn Kilkinney and Judy Ward, nephew David Holick, and niece Amy Kankel.

Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 23 from 5-7pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham, TX.  Funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at 10:00am at Salem Lutheran Church in Brenham, with interment following at Prairie Lea Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers are Kelby Combest, David Kankel, Brian Markert, Matt Markert, Cole Lujan, and Gordon Pate.

Ronnie had a big heart for stray dogs and could never pass one by.  They were the most fortunate pets to end up as a part of Ronnie & Carol’s household with the greatest level of love and care.  If you wish to make a memorial contribution in Ronnie’s honor, we suggest an animal charity of your choice, or better yet, pick up a stray on your way home!  As Ronnie was also a great lover of nature and the outdoors, another consideration would be to plant a tree in his honor.