Fellow POCI Member Eric White Dies Suddenly

[frosty]

Fellow POCI members, it is with a sad heart that I must report that Eric White has died. He suffered a stroke this past Friday, 3/18/16. He died on Saturday, 3/19/2016 at 10:30 a.m. He was surrounded by his family at the end.

A memorial service for Eric will be held on Saturday March 26, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m., at Judson Baptist Church, 4471 East Atherton Road, Burton, MICHIGAN 48519. Cremation has already taken place.

Among many of Eric's acheivements include:
Eric was a former president of the GTO Association of America.

Eric was a frequent contributor of automotive illustrations for Smoke Signals.

Eric and Paul Deesen (former GM/Pontiac designer) redesigned the POCI logo.

Eric was the Pontiac Brand Manager for the Wild About Cars automotive website.

Eric and his White-House Graphics published "The GTO Association of America's Pontiac GTO/GT-37 Illustrated Identification Guide". as well as illustrations of various Pontiacs and other famous muscle cars.

It is Eric's '67 Tiger Gold GTO that is on the cover of Jim Wanger's book "Glory Days". The photograph was taken by the late Paul Zarrazine many years ago.

Please keep Eric and his family in your thoughts and prayers.


Dennis Carol
Michigan Widetrackers

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[DynoDave]

Thanks for posting this Frosty.

As a recent first-time Pontiac owner, POCI member and Michigan Widetracker, I did not have the chance to get to know Mr. White. It sounds like he did a LOT for our hobby. I'm sure he will be missed by all who knew him, and many of us who did not.

[frosty]

He did indeed Dave. I'd be happy to discuss Eric's accomplishments sometime at a future Widetracker's meeting with you.

Here is Eric's formal obituary notice too. It was just published yesterday too.

http://obit.muirbrotherslapeer.com/o...tml?id=1601016


Eric Bryan White

Born in Lansing, MI on Oct. 31, 1955
Departed on Mar. 19, 2016 and resided in Lapeer, MI.

Eric's family will receive friends: Saturday, Mar. 26, 2016 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Memorial Service: Saturday, Mar. 26, 2016 11:00 am

Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.



Eric Bryan White, age 60, of Lapeer, Michigan, died March 19, 2016. He was born in Lansing, Michigan, on October 31, 1955, to Ernest B White and Shirley A (Lounsberry) White.

Eric was raised in Holt, Michigan, and Bad Axe, Michigan, graduating from Bad Axe High School in 1973. After high school, Eric attended Central Michigan University for 2 years then transferred to Ferris State University to acquire his Associates Degree in Technical/Mechanical Illustration. Upon graduation from Ferris State University in 1977 he worked as an illustrator for Auto Dynamics in Detroit, Michigan, for two years before accepting a Technical Illustrator position with 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he remained for 21 years. Following his time in 'Corporate America' Eric became self-employed as an artist, author and automotive history authority. Eric established his own business, "White House Graphics" classic car prints and illustrations - illustrations from Eric White, Automotive Illustrator and Graphic Artist.

Eric always had a passion for automobiles - at a very young age he could stand at the front door, watch cars go by and name them – make, model and year. He pursued this passion his entire life, owning several classic muscle cars over the years. Though Eric loved all makes of vehicles, his true love was Pontiac. He was a past President of the National GTO Association and instrumental in the founding of the Land Of Lakes GTO Club Magazine, acting as Editor for several years. He was a contributing author to national magazines such as Car Craft, Car & Driver, and Hot Rod, just to name a few. He also covered the Detroit International Auto Show in word and photograph with published articles. Eric researched, authored and illustrated "The GTO Association of America's Pontiac GTO/GT-37, Illustrated Identification Guide 1964-1974, 2004 GTO; 1970½ -1971 GT-37" a compendium of information for these vehicles. In 2010, Eric collaborated with other automotive history enthusiasts to establish the Automotive History Preservation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the past for the future. Eric spent numerous hours doing what he loved – researching automotive history facts and trivia then sharing it with the world through this organization.

Eric enjoyed playing basketball and golf and watching all sports. He was a collector of Hot Wheels, Comic Books and anything pertaining to cars. He was a great artist, author and photographer.

Eric is preceded in death by his father, Ernest Buddy White and is survived by his mother, Shirley Ann White of Drummond Island, Michigan, and Summerfield, Florida; brothers Marc White of Clarkston, Michigan, and Kirk (Cindy) White of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; sister Heidi (Michael) Degenkolb of Portage, Michigan; nieces and nephews Shelbi Yokie, Ross Degenkolb, Aron White, Owen White, Abbey White; and great-niece and great-nephew Madilyn and Nathaniel Yokie.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 26, 2016:

Judson Baptist Church
4471 East Atherton Rd
Burton, MI 48519
10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 26, 2016 visitation with the family
11:00 a.m. Memorial service Saturday, March 26, 2016, Officiated by Rev. Greg A Rowan, Senior Pastor.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Automotive History Preservation Society
(an IRS-recognized tax free not for profit public charity)
P.O. Box 467
Perry, MI. 48872

[frosty]

A link to the Michigan Widetracker's site and a Memoriam to Eric can be found at the following link. A re-print of the memorial article from the May 2016 GTOAA Legends magazine is available online as well (this is with permission of the GTOAA).

http://widetrackers.org/members-2/members-news/

[DynoDave]

Good reads, Frosty. Sounds like he lead a great life. Thanks for posting those.