Dale White passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on July 28, 2024 from heart failure.

Edward Dale White was born January 11, 1944 in Baltimore City, MD near the end World War II. He is preceded in death by his parents, Nell Farrell White and Carl Edward White, his brothers Mark Ferrell and John Clay White.

He is survived by his son Eddie White and his daughter Rachel Towey, his son in law Stephen Towey, his grandchildren Caleb, Abigail, and Nathan Towey, and his niece Laura Powell. He is remembered fondly by his roommate James Scott and a great many friends.

Dale grew up in Sampson County, NC. He moved to Chapel Hill when he enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill as a journalism major. An amazing sprinter, he received an athletic scholarship for track and field. He was an Atlantic Coast Conference championship track and field athlete, and holds records in the 60, 100 and 220 yard dash from 1964 and 1965. His time at Carolina was interrupted when was drafted during the Vietnam War. He served as a U.S. Army medical corpsman with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade while in Vietnam. During his tour in Vietnam he was awarded two Purple Hearts.

He graduated from UNC in 1970 and worked as a sports reporter at the Charlotte Observer, the Anvil, and various other local papers until he threw one too many typewriters. He was a co-owner of the Endangered Species in the 1970s with Dale Villeponteaux, a Chapel Hill bar known for its local music and hosting game tournaments for darts, backgammon, bridge, and chess. They hosted musicians including Peg Leg Sam, Mike Cross, and the Red Clay Ramblers (before they were the Red Clay Ramblers). Known for its quiet pub-like atmosphere, the Endangered Species was frequented primarily by non-students and a very fine group of intellectuals. His varied occupational exploits also included work as a short order cook and a plate glass delivery driver.

He had a long career as a highly skilled residential carpenter, working all around the Triangle. He was well known as a champion at hammer throwing. He ended his working career as a copy editor at the Piedmont Sundial, a local paper which produced an active events calendar. Dale loved music. He played the guitar, base, and mandolin, and took up song writing in his final years. He loved country music, particularly the classics. He enjoyed playing music with his brother Clay whenever they were together.

Dale also loved politics. A staunch conservative, Dale loved nothing more than engaging “flaming liberals” and arguing politics. He was well known for doing so at bars all over Chapel Hill for a great many years. In the last year, Dale was working on a political blog (dalethenail.com), where he wrote inflammatory pieces with the aim of inspiring political discourse. Dale loved watching Carolina basketball and the Atlanta Braves, and had many good times with friends and family watching the games. A well known, long term resident of Chapel Hill, Dale will be missed by the local community, his friends and his family.

A celebration of life will be held at his home for close friends and family. Donations can be made to local hospice organizations in his memory.