Charles J. White

COLUMBIA – Charles Joseph “Charlie” White, 93, of Columbia, N.H., passed away peacefully on Friday morning, Nov. 28, 2025, at home on the dairy farm where he lived every day of his life, with his family close beside him. Charlie was born on July 20, 1932, in the red brick house on the family farm, founded in 1919. His parents, Charles H. and Katherine Beatrice (Doak) “Bea” White, moved to Columbia from East Hatley, Québec, Canada, bringing their infant daughter Eleanor, and all their possessions in a horse-drawn wagon leading a single dairy cow. Charlie was their second child. In 1937, his younger brother Raymond was born. Charlie attended the Columbia Valley School, often riding his pony, Slim, to get there. From an early age he worked alongside his father and brother on the growing dairy farm. He joined 4-H and showed milking Jerseys at the Lancaster Fair, Plymouth State Fair, and the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass. His love of horses was lifelong: riding, driving, haying, logging, beginning with a single horse pulling a twitch and later graduating to his own team at the age of 14. It was said that his whole life, when he logged, he’d fell a tree then run, not walk, to the next one and the next. As electricity and mechanization reached the farm, Charlie helped earn the money to buy the farm’s first tractor, a 1947 Farmall H, by plowing Jordan Hill Road before he even had his driver’s license. In the 1950s, the family expanded their operation under the name Meadow View Farm, bottling milk in the garage, hand-washing bottles, filling and capping them, and delivering milk to area homes. They also delivered 40-gallon cans to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate at the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace in Columbia. Charlie met Arlene (Gould), his beloved wife of 65 years, when he was exhibiting show cattle at the Lancaster Fair. They married in 1954, built a home next to the red brick house, and raised their four children, teaching them the values of hard work, and resilience. In 1958, Charlie and Arlene purchased the farm and continued its steady growth into a highly successful dairy operation, one of the largest in the region and a proud member of the Agri-Mark Cooperative. Its success was no accident; it was the direct result of Charlie’s extraordinary work ethic, relentless determination in all challenges and circumstances, and the family’s unwavering commitment to carrying on the legacy he built. What began with one Canadian cow and horse-drawn equipment evolved into a multigenerational dairy, logging, haying, and cropping enterprise supported by modern machinery, more than 600 acres of farmland, grassland, and cornfields, and the operation of their own sawmill. Generations grew up watching Charlie work; he hired many local young people throughout the years on the farm, and many credit Charlie with inspiring them. He built a farm that has endured for more than 106 years—still thriving today under the direction of his sons, Brad and Larry. When he obtained his first hay baler with a kicker, Charlie said, “I wish my father was here to see this.” He embraced modern technology throughout his life, always trying to make work more efficient. Charlie and his sons built their own milking parlor fabricating the stalls themselves. In his 80s Charlie was determined to have a smartphone. He wore down more than one hesitant salesperson and got his phone, intently tracking the weather and making on-the-spot calls for equipment or tractor parts from the field. Charlie retired from the barn at age 92, though in his heart he never retired. He continued to “supervise” and stay involved as long as he possibly could, ever connected to the farm he loved. Beyond the farm, Charlie served his town with great dedication. He joined the Columbia Planning Board in 1975 and served until 1995, including 18 years as Chairman. He also enjoyed cigars, deer hunting, snowmobiling, and he loved to dance. He worked with unshakeable toughness, but his unmistakable grin and the glimmer in his eye showed a heart rooted in kindness and a love for helping others. Hardworking, humble, and deeply respected by all who knew him, Charlie was a legend—an example of integrity, and endurance to his family and in the valley. Nobody worked harder. He was a great man, devoted especially to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews. As busy as Charlie was, he always found time for his family. Charlie and Arlene shared a lifetime of partnership and adventure. They enjoyed camping and traveling together—from visits to Hampton Beach to trips to Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana, Missouri, and Amish country in Pennsylvania. They especially loved agricultural fairs and attended as many as possible each summer and fall—often seen hand-in-hand, taking in the sights and sounds. Charlie was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife of 65 years, Arlene in 2020; his brother, Raymond White; his sister, Eleanor (White) Schoff; his brother-in-law Paul Daley, and his grandson, Byron Placy. He is survived by his four children: Bradley (Monica) White of Columbia; Sandra (Clark) Jeffers of Columbia; Larry (Paula) White of Columbia; and David (Sharon Ellingwood) White of Lemington, VT. He leaves behind his grandchildren: Brian (Katherine Bodette) White, Garrett White, Samuel Jeffers, Gina (Adrien Lavoie) Brown, Bridget (David) Gales, Ashley (Bill) Dullea, Amber (Jonathon) Dodge, Adam Martel, Sara (Kyle) Placy Morman, Allie (Suzanne Callis) White, Britni (Kyle) Haley, Cody White, Samuel Villa, Madeline (Julio) Arango and Dan (Sonya Cheney) Garant. Charlie is also survived by great-grandchildren Abigail and Gwendalyn Brown; Blakely, Beckham, and Barrett White; Brock and Vivian Gales; Nick and Emma Dodge; Aidan and Melody Haley; Hazel Callis White, Elisa Arango and Finnegan Cheney-Garant. He leaves three sisters-in-law: Louise Daley of Stewartstown; Lorraine (John) Meissner of Bow, NH; and Elaine White of Columbia. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, N.H. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m on Thursday, Dec. 4, at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Colebrook. Interment will take place at a later date in the Colebrook Village Cemetery, with notice being given. Memorial donations may be made to Coös County 4-H Advisory Council, 629A Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584, to advance activities within the beef and dairy programs at the Lancaster Fair. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Charles J. White

July 20, 1932 - November 28, 2025