Mark Vaughn White, aged 69, born in Clinton, TN on 23 October 1956, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family due to complications of preexisting traumatic brain injuries and secondary Parkinson’s syndrome on Sunday, 23 August 2026, just 10 days shy of his 49th wedding anniversary to his wife, Alma White.

In addition to his wife of nearly five decades, Mark was survived by his son Mark R. White (Carrie), daughter Jennifer Everhart, son James White (Holly), grandchildren Emmet Vaughn White, Sadie Kathryn White, Mackenzie White, Peyton Velasquez (Bryan), Emma Ecleberry, Chloe Jane Everhart, Dakota White, Toryn White, bonus grandchildren Hunter White, Colton White, and great-grandson, Brently Ecleberry. Mark was also survived by his brothers David White, Steve White, Paul White (Wanda), Ben White (Vivian), Jesse White, special friends Lester and Beatrice Miller, Michael Nunn, sisters-in-law Darlene McGhee (David), Melissa “Nadine” Marlow, brother-in-law James Tapp (Susan), sister-in-law Sharon White, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Junior and Edna White, brother Sam White, sisters-in-law Betty White and Jewel White, his best dog Max, two GMT400 pickup trucks that may be yet revived, a number of what would have been priceless muscle cars, and one red 1994 Jeep Cherokee.

Mark was a devoted and reliable husband, father, and grandfather that possessed the temper of a Marine Corps Drill Instructor (although he never served) and the kindness of a Christian saint. He fiercely loved his family and espoused his principles. He possessed calloused, leathery hands that turned soft and nurturing when holding his granddaughter Sadie. He spoke softly, but with aphorisms powerful enough to change lives such as “Show me, don’t tell me,” “A man is only as good as he treats his tools. Take care of your tools and they’ll take care of you,” “Obey laws which are righteous but you must avoid those which are foolish,” “Showing up to work ready and on-time is 85% of the job,” and “James, stop doing whatever it is you’re doing.” He was a man that led by example with an unbreakable spirit and an indomitable work ethic.

Mark was a graduate of Clinton High School, the Anderson County Career and Technical Center (Building Trades), a member of the Masonic Alpha Lodge 376, and a member of Jarnigan Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He spent his career working as a carpenter and construction worker with too many locations and projects to list, including KCDC, Denark Construction, and Johnson and Galyon Construction, but ultimately was medically retired due to a vehicle accident from the Local 50 Carpenter’s Union, where he had been working on the K25 demolition project in 2010. While pleasure time was never a focus for Mark, he did enjoy watching a good television show or movie, drinking an ice-cold Diet Mountain Dew, eating a Texas Roadhouse steak, playing pool, hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking, farming, digging ginseng, and masquerading as a completely healthy man when any nurse under the age of 40 walked into his room during his frequent hospital stays over the last 16 years. No matter how much his health had deteriorated, he was always “Good.” I’d like to write that he died knowing that Chuck Norris was the greatest action-movie star of all time, dirt and sawdust were the best treatment for minor cuts and scrapes, and the circular saw was the greatest invention of the 20th century. He did know these things at one time, but unfortunately, his brain injuries and Parkinson's resulted in progressive cognitive decline during his last years.

His family fully believes that Mark believed in Jesus Christ, accepted salvation from his Savior, and has gone home to be with his Lord, God.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm, Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home, with funeral services to follow in the chapel, officiated by Rev. Bill Rutherford. His graveside service will be at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, at Jarnigan Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery. Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. Holleygamble.com