Remembering Thomas White
Everyone at the Outer Banks Community Foundation would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of Thomas “Tom” Livingston White, Jr.
After being released from active service with the Navy in 1967, and entering law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tom received his Juris Doctor degree in 1970. He practiced law in Manteo for forty-two years, initially with his uncle Martin Kellogg and others at the law firm later known as Kellogg, White, Evans & Gray. He later practiced law with the law firm of Hornthal, Riley, Ellis & Maland until he retired in 2012. In 1989, Tom retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Captain.
Tom was an active Methodist and longtime member and Sunday school teacher at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Manteo. He was also an outstanding community leader. Tom was a longtime member and past President of the Manteo Rotary Club. He served as Chair and a member of the Board of Directors of the Dare County Airport Authority. Tom also served on the Boards of Directors of the Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast, the Sea & Sounds Arts Council (now Dare Arts), and the Friends of the Outer Banks History Center. He also served on the Board of Visitors of the UNC Institute for the Environment. In 1980, Tom served as President of the First Judicial District Bar.
Tom also served in several leadership positions with the Roanoke Island Historical Association, which produces “The Lost Colony” outdoor symphonic drama. He served on its Board of Directors for twenty years, including positions of General Counsel, Vice Chair, and Chair and Producer. Tom received the Association’s Morrison Award in 2002.
The Town of Nags Head recognized Tom in 2016 with the Lightkeeper Award and the Nags Header Award, which recognized his many contributions to the town, including his service as Town Attorney for three decades. Tom served as the first Town Attorney for the Town of Southern Shores and continued in that position for twenty-two years. He also served as attorney for the Dare County Board of Education for twenty-seven years.
Tom was very conscientious and always made himself available to help someone in need. He was a positive influence on his many friends, colleagues, co-workers, clients, and shipmates.
To honor his life and legacy, Tom’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Martin Kellogg Memorial Fund at the Outer Banks Community Foundation. Donations will be used to award grants to nonprofits in our community. You can make a donation by clicking here.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11:00 am at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 300 Ananias Dare St., Manteo, NC. Pastor Marc O’Neal will officiate. The family will receive friends at 108 Budleigh, located at 108 Budleigh St, Manteo, NC, immediately following the service. Interment will follow at Roanoke Island Memorial Gardens. You can read more about Tom’s life in his obituary.
