May 8, 1955 �" January 20, 2008
J.W. White, born May 8, 1955, passed away on January 20, 2008 in Sarasota, Florida. He was well known in the Bay Area for his sports abilities mainly in tennis and softball. He left Berkeley about 15 years ago and made quite a name for himself in the tennis community of Sarasota/Bradenton Florida, so much that they held a memorial service at the Payne Park Tennis Center in Sarasota and named a national tennis tournament in his honor. Also in the center is a memorial plaque honoring him and his accomplishments.
Mr. White never had a first and middle name. His parents only gave him J.W. He is known through the tennis world as J.W. and was the only person in the history of Gay Games to win three golds in tennis. He won them all at the Vancouver Games; men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles.
He won the gold medal for men's single tennis at the Chicago Gay Games even though he was seriously ill. He also belonged to the Stonewall Democratic Club, and the Prime Timers Club, where he was the worldwide coordinator. If any of his many friends in the Bay Area need additional information, email [email protected].