Thomas Robert White, MD
May 21, 1932 - February 10, 2026
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Obituary for Thomas Robert White, MD
Thomas Robert White died peacefully surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Anne White; his children Lisa White (married to Jeff Stoodt), Stuart White (married to Kerry Doyle White), Jabin White (married to Meg Moreland White), and Alex White (married to Marci Mendel White); his eight grandchildren Grady Stoodt, Arlo Stoodt, Lindsay White Kroll, Colin White, Grayson White, Kate White, Tommy White, and Harper White; and his great-grandchild, Hudson Kroll.
Born in Detroit to Lucile Waltz White and Edward White, Tom spent his high school years in Homestead, Florida, where his family moved when he was 14. After becoming the first Eagle Scout in the continental United States (south of Miami), he majored in history at Emory University, then graduated from Emory Medical School. While doing a residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton, Massachusetts, he went on a blind date with a friend of his roommate’s girlfriend. After she told him, “I’d go anywhere with you,” he married Ellen Anne Livingstone, from Weymouth, Massachusetts. “Anywhere” turned out to be St. Petersburg, Florida, where, for more than 40 years, he had a busy pediatric practice, and together they raised four children. When Tom retired from pediatrics in 2003, he and Ellen moved to Milton, Massachusetts, to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. They had more than 20 full and happy retired years at Fuller Village.
Tom was a long-distance runner who ran dozens of marathons and founded the Suncoast Runners Club. In the 1970s, before the running boom, Tom could be spotted running throughout the Bay Area, and he organized races around St. Petersburg for years, including the popular 7.5-mile “Bay to Bay” race from Boca Ciega Bay to Tampa Bay. When he stopped running, he took up racewalking and won a World Master’s Racewalking Championship (though it was a boycott year). Among his other interests were classical music (he built his own harpsichord and was a devoted attendee of the Boston Symphony Orchestra); hiking in the Smoky Mountains; baseball (including visits to 23 Major League ballparks during annual baseball weekends with his sons); growing citrus, Muscadine grapes (and winemaking), and avocados in his Florida backyard; tennis and Ping Pong, and Scrabble.
He impacted thousands of lives through his pediatric practice, enriched his community through the Suncoast Runners Club and other activities, and served as a model of kindness, gentleness, and integrity to his children and grandchildren. Tom’s love and devotion to his wife of 65 years and to his family and friends will be forever cherished and remembered.
A joint Celebration of Life for Tom and Ellen will be held at First Parish Milton, 535 Canton Avenue, Milton on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Family and friends welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to either the Boston Symphony Orchestra or First Parish Milton.
Services
Celebration of Life
02:00 PM
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Tributes
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Brian DeMurley planted 10 trees in memory of Thomas Robert White, MD . - February 13, 2026
Condolences
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February 25, 2026
Dear Ellen, I'd like to tell you how many, many Fuller Village friends were ever so fond of you and Tom. When I read Tom's obituary I was blown away by his many accomplishments and hobbies. One favorite of mine were the loaves of delicious anadama bread which Tom baked for our annual fair. I also remember how diligently you and I worked to produce our book of Fuller memoirs in 2010. If you and your family plan a Celebration of Tom's life, please let your Fuller Village neighbors know. We'd enjoy reminiscing with you. Nancy Kearns
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February 20, 2026
I have fond memories of Dr. Thomas White. He and his wife Ellen were the first neighbors to greet me on the day that I moved to Fuller Village in May 2022. He baked a loaf of bread and they presented it to me along with a delicious jar of apricot preserves. The Whites villa was directly across the street from mine and I often watched him filling their bird feeders which feed not only the birds, but also the squirrels and turkeys. Often, they invited me to their patio in the late afternoon to share a glass of wine and pleasant conversation. I was sad to see them leave Fuller Village. Dr. White will be fondly remembered. My sincere condolences to Ellen and the family.
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February 16, 2026
All of my three children (now 47, 39, & 37) saw Dr. White throughout their childhood (my youngest son well until he was 16). He came to the hospital when each was born (which is unheard of now). He was kind, patient and spent as much time with me and kids as was needed. He was loving and spot on in every visit. The kids loved Dr. White. He was a true blessing for Mother's. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us. God Bless. Caron Burgess
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February 14, 2026
Loved Dr. White, he was our Pediatrician for our three children. My deepest condolences to his family and friends, he was an admirable man!
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February 14, 2026
I remember many a visit to his office as a kid. Always a great and caring doctor.
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February 14, 2026
Dr White was a wonderful Doctor and took care of all three of my children in the 80's and 90's. He was the very best. A wonderful man.
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February 13, 2026
Dr White was a wonderful man/pediatrician. He was my pediatrician and also my children's pediatrician. He had the most calming, compassionate doctor. I often wondered how he was after retirement. I'm so glad he enjoyed his retirement with his family. He has & will be truly missed. Dr white Rest in peace. Condolences to the white family. Robin Green
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February 13, 2026
Mrs White (Ellen) and family. Brett Hoffman notified me of Dr. White's passing. What a humble, creative and innovative man that made thousands of humans joyful through his nonjudgemental, quiet persistence. I see him now handing the baton off to Dr Dermois in the Sawbones vs. Jawbones relay...or was it the Mad Medical Milers? No wonder you two enjoyed and respected my parents, when few did, because you saw and were not defined by constraints. Not a day goes by that thousands of runners and healthy adults owe there exercise bliss to Dr. White through imaging they see that tongue blade given to them at races end! When I direct races, I always shout out in a gravelly voice, "Ten minutes, ten minutes till racetime". The Bay to Bay, Ross Extra Mile, Beach Races, Cross Country races...are among such wonderful , unselfish contributions he made to our running AND people community. I had the honor of winning all of the cross country race series in its last inception in mid 90s. Thank you, Tom and Ellen, for your gracious, open gift of friendship with my parents. They enjoyed the discussions and banter like no other. At a time now, we all need Tom and his call of love, "ten minutes", and accept his tongue blade of healthy peace. Ray Wunderlich III I
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February 13, 2026
Dr white was incredible, so loved by our family. After our little girl Laura Marie passed away, he would call often and check on us. We had other children who went to him, my son had asthma. After calling on call at night, he would call back every couple hours to check on our son. Incredible. We often speak of him, never met another doctor like him. I'm am so very sorry for your loss.
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February 13, 2026
My 2 sons were patients of Doctor White starting way back to 1973 when the first was born. He was just the best and saw our family through some trying times. Being a first time mother it was comforting to have a gentle, patient and loving Doctor to help me through ALL that I didn't know. Both sons and I share in your grief and will always remember Doctor Thomas White . Fondly, Mrs.Shafer St.Petersburg, Fla.
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February 12, 2026
He was our family's pediatrician from 1964 until around 1999. His wry humor, his gentle ways, his listening skills and his diagnostic skills were invaluable to our family. We loved him and he will always be woven into the fabric of our lives. Sympathy to his beautiful family from our family, the Breslins.
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February 12, 2026
Heartfelt prayers and condolences to the family of Dr White. He was such an icon in the Pinellas running community - I started running as a teenager in the early 1970's in St Petersburg, and without all the beach runs, cross-country races, Bay-to-Bay, the One-Mile StopWatch race at Azalea junior high, and all the Suncoast Runners Club events - I doubt that I would have ended up running varsity track & cross-country during undergraduate years. Dr White was an honorable and humble man - a trailblazer who will be fondly remembered. May he rest in eternal peace
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February 12, 2026
"Dr. White was my pediatrician for over 21 years, but to me, he was so much more. During my darkest struggles with childhood illness, he was the constant 'glimmer of hope' that kept me going. He took his calling so seriously, always ensuring I was okay both physically and emotionally. They truly don't make doctors like him anymore—men of such profound inspiration and dedication. I believe he always had angel wings, and now he rests with our Heavenly Father. I will forever carry his lessons of care with me. To his family: thank you for sharing this incredible man with us. He was my angel on earth, and I love him dearly." Heather Brim
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February 12, 2026
The world was a better place with Dr. White carrying for our children.
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February 12, 2026
Dr White was my two son's pedatrian until they were just too old to go to him anymore. A wonderful, dedicated doctor and a really good person. As a mom I was always so glad Dr. White was their doctor who took the best care of my two precious babies.
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February 12, 2026
Dr. White was a wonderful pediatrician to my son's Richard and Matthew. A man who truly cared about his patients and also their families. I was so fortunate to have him as my children's doctor. He was a one of a kind and I've never met another pediatrician or doctor for that matter, that has come close to the quality man that Dr. White was. He was the Best! I can still hear his soft raspy voice, assuring, kind and caring. Heartfelt Condolences to his family.
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February 12, 2026
Like so many others, Dr. White was my pediatrician as a child. As a teenager, he allowed me to volunteer in his office and later hired me on as a staff member. Dr. White's kindness, compassion, knowledge base, and willingness to help others grow to their fullest capacity were evident in his every day actions. He truly was one that we can report spent a life well lived.
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February 12, 2026
He was a great doctor! I remember going to him vividly even at my age of 54! He always made me feel safe to see him as a child. My mom took all 5 of us to him, and always swore by whatever Dr. White told her! He was a blessing to many! God be with his family at this time.
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February 12, 2026
Dr.White was the most amazing Dr St Petersburg ever had . I'm so very thankful all three of my children had him their whole childhood. Sending heartfelt condolences to the White family. Rest in eternity Dr White
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February 12, 2026
RIP Dr.White, You took care of 3 generations of my family, you were truly a great Dr. Patricia Jenkins
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February 12, 2026
Dr White took care of my son and daughter during the 70's and 80's. I loved him! So kind, calm and soft spoken. I remember seeing him running throughout St Pete. May he rest in eternal peace and I am forever grateful for the many years of care for my children. My condolences to the family. ❤️🙏
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