Frank White passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025, at his home in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Born in Terry Mississippi on November 9, 1940, Frank spent his early years in the cotton fields with his mother as she picked cotton. The eldest of 9 children, “Frankie” eventually stopped attending school so he could help his mother raise and provide for his 8 siblings. Having a childhood obsession with horses, Frank knew he would do great things someday.

Overcoming the racial obstacles, Frank White began his career with horses as a groom for several trainers in the 1950’s. By the age of 18, Frank moved to California and started his own stable and riding in horse shows. Frank attended his first Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration in 1951 and showed horses in his first Groom’s Class in 1953. By 1979, Frank founded the NW Walking Horse Trainer’s Association and was President of the association for two years. In 1982, Frank earned his first blue ribbon in Tennessee as a trainer and became a member of the Walking Horse Trainers Association, Inc in 1988. By 1987, Frank invented his own bit and collar for horse training and showing in the Tennessee Walking Horse arena. By 1997, the Frank White Training Collar and the Frank White Training bit was manufactured for Mr. White and they both went on to be sold to other TWH trainers and customers. Frank carried his licensures in both horse training and judging. Frank White achieved one of his dreams: he was the first African American to win three World Championship classes in 1993 at the National Celebration in Shelbyville, TN. Mr. White received numerous awards throughout his career for showmanship, as well as being the first Tennessee Walking Horse Trainer inducted into the Cowboy of Color Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. Frank also spoke and taught others about horse training around the country. On the outside of the show rink, Frank also had a second dream: learning to read. At the age of 55, Frank not only learned to read but became the spokesman for the Oregon Literacy organization.

Frank White’s knowledge and humility touched everyone who knew him. Frank’s many friends and family remember him as a kindhearted and loving man. His love for life and being a positive impact on those around him is immeasurable.

Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice Nunley, brothers, Jim, George, David; also by his sisters, Mary and Dorothy.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Judy; his 3 sisters: Betty of Jackson, MS; Joanne of Jackson, MS; Verrine of Los Angeles, CA. Frank is also survived by his 5 children: Franklin of Federal Way, WA; Frankie of Tacoma, WA; George of Tacoma, WA; Frank of Murfreesboro, TN and James of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Stepchildren: Josh of Redmond, OR, and Michelle of Shelbyville, TN. Frank had numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, including grandsons Lamar and Isaiah of Washington, Chad and Ryker of Redmond, Oregon and granddaughters, Daisia and Jasmin of Washington State and Amelia of Shelbyville, TN.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on March 2, 2025, at the Blue Ribbon Circle Club at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds in Shelbyville, TN. The Celebration of Life service will begin at 2pm and a Repass will follow the Celebration of Life services. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to assist with memorial service expenses, via Venmo: https://venmo.com/Judy-White-96 or PayPal: [email protected].