Luther White, Jr.

Luther Maxwell White, Jr., “Luke,” 80, passed away peacefully at his home, with his wife Karen of 23 years by his side. They lived on the Suwannee River near Chiefland, Florida with their beloved dogs, Priss and Buster.

Luke was born June 4, 1945, at Alachua General Hospital in Gainesville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther White, Sr., and Juanita Marshburn White, and his brother, Wesley White.

He spent a happy early childhood in Bronson and the family moved to Chiefland in 1956. A skilled and talented athlete at Chiefland High School, Luke played on the 1961 State Champion football team and excelled in basketball and track. He went on to play football as a freshman with the University of Florida Gators after graduation in 1963, but a knee injury sidelined him and broke his heart—he never played in a game for the team. His teammates from the early 1960s squads, affectionately known as the Silver Sixties, always graciously included him in their reunions. Luke remained a fiercely loyal Gator fan for life.

From an early age, he began working for the family businesses, White Construction and Limerock Industries, helping build roads across Florida—including major sections of I-75, I-10, and Alligator Alley. While working in South Florida, he loved taking his airboat out with friends for all-night frog gigging; closer to home, he'd mullet fish all night long out from Cedar Key.

The family raised cattle, a tradition Luke and Karen continued by founding White Cattle Company. They raised outstanding registered Brahmans, Herefords, and Angus, along with crossbred cows and bulls. Luke's true passion was beautiful AQHA cutting horses; his stallion, Boon San Lena, was the World Champion Cutting Horse Stallion in 1993 and the World Champion NCHA Cutting Horse in 1994.

His father introduced him to elk hunting in Idaho's Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness area in the 1960s. Luke continued those hunts throughout his life, hauling his mules from Florida every September to McCall, Idaho, for backcountry pack trips. (His mules remain part of the ranch today.) Luke and Karen were married in beautiful McCall and built two developments there: Elkhorn and White Cloud.

In his later years, Luke spent much time driving around his beloved Flatwoods, with Karen riding shotgun every chance she got, checking on his fat cows. He was an avid outdoorsman and proud Florida rancher with a deep love for critters of all kinds. He was happiest when he was working.

Luke was a Life Member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the National Cutting Horse Association, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He was also a member of the Levy County Cattlemen's Association, the Florida Cattlemen's Association, the National Cattlemen's Association, and the Brahman, Hereford, and Angus breed associations. He was a lifelong member of the Chiefland Methodist Church.

Luke is survived by his wife, Karen; his son, Luke III (Molly); his daughter, Snow (Curt); his son, Brad; sisters Nancy White Bennett and Betsy White, grandchildren Max White (Allie), Harley White Nussel (Art), Kynnedy White, Bryson White, and Denver White; and great-grandsons Hayes Nussel and Hudson White.

For those who would like to make a contribution in Luke's memory, the family suggests The Tommy Usher Memorial Scholarship, c/o Levy County Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 1386, Bronson, Florida 32621.

Luke was a man of quiet strength who lived to work. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.

“There is a perennial nobleness, and even sacredness, in work.” –Thomas Carlyle.

A graveside service will be held at the Rosemary Hill Cemetery in Bronson on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 2:00pm. Pastor Mark Williams & Adamarie Keeton will officiate.

Arrangements are entrusted to Weems & Sons Funeral Home of Chiefland