Morris White,

Eastland - Morris Douglas (Duffy) White, Jr. went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the afternoon of Thursday, August 22, 2013 after a 6 year battle with melanoma and kidney failure. He was surrounded by this loving wife, Carolyn and his sons ("his two greatest achievements") Gable and Brodie and the love of friends and family who had prayed for him and supported him during his illness and throughout his life. Funeral service honoring his life were held 10:00am Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Eastland with Rev. Jim Wright and Dr. Shawn Brewer officiating. Burial followed at the Eastland City Cemetery. Visitation was Monday August 26 from 5~7 PM under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Eastland. Duffy was born on October 29, 1944, in Belleville, Kansas. Over the course of his life he lived in England, New Mexico, Missouri, and for the past 34 years in Eastland, Texas. He graduated from Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas, in 1963 and continued his education, graduating from Abilene Christian University, and obtaining his Masters of Business and Marketing from Texas Christian University. He was the president and owner of White's Ace Hardware in Eastland, Texas and Cisco Hardware and Supply in Cisco, Texas. Duffy's life was greatly enriched by his friends, family, traveling and his love of the outdoors. There was nothing he enjoyed more than watching his cattle, his pets and the wildlife from the deck on their ranch and enjoying the lake view from their lake house patio at Lake Leon. More than anything he loved the Lord, his church, his family and friends, as well as serving the community. Duffy ran the race the Lord set before him. Through challenges and blessings, he trusted God to lead him where he needed to go. That path has ended in glory. "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." He was a strong supporter of the Eastland County Jr. Livestock Show, the Eastland County Rehab Roundup, and Eastland Ag Boosters. He served as a Loan Committee Officer and on the Board of Directors of First Financial Bank. He was a member of both Eastland and Cisco Chamber of Commerce, being the recipient of the Business of the Year Award in Cisco and The Eastland Golden Deed Award recipient in 2013. He received the Friend of 4-H Award by the Eastland County Extension Office. Duffy was a faithful member of the First Christian Church in Eastland, serving as a deacon and board member. He was also a member of the Emmaus Community. Survivors include his loving wife of forty-four years and high school sweetheart Carolyn Pursley White, son Gable White and fiancé, Allison Woodlock of Dallas, son Brodie White and wife Amy, and granddaughter Hazen of Dallas, father Col. (retired) Morris D. White, Sr. of Eastland, mother-in-law Edna Pursley of Abilene, brother-in-law Bill Pursley (Becky), sisters-in-law Becky Smedley (Owen) and Susan Sanders. He is also survived by aunt and uncle Dr. and Mrs. George Bland of Tucson, Arizona, sisters Delena Murphy, Denise Shannon, brothers Dale Molder and Dwain Molder, in addition to many cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of dear friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Janice Warner Martin, of Ridgecrest, CA., and father-in-law Ernest Pursley, step-mother Dorothy White, grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles.
Memorials may be made to: Rescue the Animals in Eastland and Abilene, First Christian Church in Eastland, or to Eastland Meals on Wheels.