J. Myles White, DDS
J. Myles White was born October 15, 1921, on the family homestead at Cold Springs, in the North Boulder River Valley of Jefferson County. After a lengthy struggle with emphysema, Myles passed away on April 7, 2011. Eldest son of Charles and Margaret (Dawson) White, Myles attended parochial grade school in Butte, graduating from Butte Central Christian Brothers High School in 1939.
In his senior year at Carroll College in Helena during World War Two, Myles joined the V12 Navy officer training program, and after graduation serving as a Pharmacist Mate aboard the U.S.S Clinton, a new, Haskell-class attack transport ship carrying Marines and replacement troops in the Pacific. The Clinton also moved Chinese troops and equipment to Chinwangtao Taku for the reoccupation of northern China.
After the war, Myles returned to Butte, was accepted to Loyola University in Chicago, graduating from the School of Dentistry in 1950. Returning to Montana, he and another young dentist answered the urgent call to serve at Warm Springs State Hospital, where 1,800 patients were in dire need of dental services. They served four years, and then established practices in Butte.
Uncertainty caused by the 1967 Butte miners’ strike of the Anaconda Co., the longest in state history, inspired Myles to move further east, where he practiced dentistry in Miles City for 25 years, retiring in 1993, moving to Billings in 1999.
In retirement, Myles rekindled his high school orchestra skills, putting in many hours of practice, and then playing violin in the Miles City Community Orchestra and the Billings Community Orchestra. Music was a vital part of Myles’ life entertaining one and all with his rousing renditions of the golden oldies.
Myles’ humanitarian work in retirement included two trips to missions in Mexico with Regina and his dentist brother-in-law, Dr. Byron Greany, to perform several weeks of service to people in remote villages.
He was a member of the Montana Dental Association and Delta Delta Sigma dental fraternity.
Myles was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Cindy White Cameron. Survivors include his wife, Regina; daughters Mary Karen and Denny Marek, Billings; and Joy and Dan Tierney, Edmonds WA; sons; Charles White and Cindy Lund, Great Falls, Mark White, Montana City and James White, Helena; son-in-law Chuck Cameron, Whitefish; grandchildren Nicole and Gregg Gross, Rob and Aimee Tierney, Matt Tierney and Lisa Tierney; Aaron White, Jon White; Daniel and Skylar Cameron, 6 great grandchildren; and brother, Lacey White of California.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be made to NAMI-Billings, 1645 Avenue D, Suite G, Billings, MT 59102.
Myles’ family would like to extend their appreciation to the PACE program located at Aspen Meadows for their compassionate care.
Cremation has taken place. Funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 11:00. Interment will take place at a later date in the Deer Lodge Cemetery.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Just found out today about Miles’s passing. I
would like to have made it to the funeral. He will be missed. My best
memory of Miles was what a truly good dentist he was. He was my dentist
as a child until he left Butte and then was my dentist again in Miles
City along with my kids first dentist. I will miss his sense of humor
and smile. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole White and Dawson
Family.
Bonnie and Jack Martinell
Myles was a good violinist & a great
character within the Billings Community Orchestra. Though his health
was failing, he never complained or said a cross word; indeed, he
was most cheerful & never failed to have a kind word for everyone.
He is sorely missed – and especially remembered for the colorful bow
ties he wore at our concerts!
Stan Jonutis
Our thoughts, prayers, and love to you all-
Uncle Mike will always be a special part of our memories: his
warmth, gentle manner, and humor forever 'etched' in our hearts. May
you find strength in your memories and stories shared about him,
comfort knowing he is ever present, and peace knowing you are all in
God's care.
Rory, Kitty, Anna, and Emily
White Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your husband and dad. I have a lot of
really good memories of Myles. I hung out at your house in Butte
often with my dear friend Charley whom I lost contact with many
years ago. I offer my sincere condolences to all of the Whites and
family members. I believe Myles is in a wonderful place looking down
on you. After all, where else could such a great guy be? You are all
in my thoughts and prayers.
Charley - if you read this, which I really hope you will, contact
me.
Dan Kelly
in memory of J. Myles White, Saint Vincent de Paul Store in Miles City would like to make 50.00 dollar donation to NAMI. We are so sorry for your loss.
Always such a nice person. Great person to
chat with ,always so interested in what you were doing. My best
wishes to the whole family.
Pat Greany & Family