Whitney J. White

Whitney J. “TRAX” White, 36 of Fort Totten ND passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital.

Gathering of Family and Friends and Time of Remembrance and Prayer will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake ND with burial in the St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery at 4:30 p.m. 

Whitney James White, son of Janet White and his biological father, Alan Talks was born on February 17, 1985 and was raised by Janet and Laidman Fox Jr.  He grew up in Fort Totten ND.  He attended school at Fort Totten, Sheyenne ND and Crow Creek SD. 

Whitney’s lifelong nickname “TRAX” originated at the age of 4 years old.  Whitney was at his Grandpa Elmer’s and he wanted a jelly sandwich. He got the jelly stuck all over his neck and chest. He told his mom and uncle Elmer Jr. “I can’t eat, it’s stuck, it’s stuck!!” With his chin stuck to his chest, his uncle said his Indian name could be “sticky neck with lines across the forehead” and we could send him out in front of the hunting party to look for rabbit tracks because he was too small to look for deer tracks.  Uncle Junior then said it in his official voice, we will call him “Sticky neck with lines across the forehead looking for rabbit tracks!”  His Mom said no, we aren’t calling him that, Uncle Jr. said well we will call him “Rabbit Tracks” and he was laughing.  From then on, Whitney was “Rabbit Tracks” by his uncle.  As time went on and the cousins got older, his nickname got shortened to just “TRAX” or “TRAX STAR” and eventually he had a son who goes by baby Trax and will carry on his dad’s nickname and the story. 

After his school years, Whitney met his first love, Ashley Greywater.  Together they had four children, Kiara, Sienna, Payton and Dayton White.

Whitney worked various cooking jobs in Devils Lake from 2006 to 2011, working hard to support his family.  Whitney missed and loved his babies so much when they were apart. 

In 2012, Whitney met Yolanda Weber and in that relationship he had 3 children, Whitney Jr., Hadley and Emma White.  Whitney raised his son Whitney Jr. until he left to start his journey to his Creator.  Whitney loved all his babies and talked about them and their accomplishments often. 

In 2019, Whitney graduated from the GED Program and started carpentry classes.  Within a short time, he developed health issues which prevented him from continuing in school at the time.  At the start of summer, 2021, Whitney reenrolled in the carpentry program at Cankdeska Cikana Community College, determined to finish his education and receive his certification. 

Whitney lived a long happy life with all his family and friends.  He had the best personality, and was always making people laugh.  His presence was always welcomed and joyful.  Whitney was proud to be the oldest brother and always wanted the best for his siblings. 

Whitney enjoyed music. His dream was to be a rapper.  He enjoyed writing lyrics and making beats. 

Whitney will be missed greatly by his family and friends.   We love you TRAX!

Whitney’s loving family include his children Kiara, Sienna, Payton, Dayton, Whitney Jr., Hadley and Emma White; oldest son Max (Michelle) of Mandaree; mother and step-dad Janet and Laidman; dad Alan Talks; brothers Buster, Chanze, Warren, Zeb (Callie) and Royce Jarvey, Billy Eagleman Sr. and Al Demery; sisters Leora, Lacey (Dennis), Lakeisha (Wayne), Louise, Alyssa and Aubrey and all his Talks family from South Dakota; grandmothers Evangeline White and Winona Fox; many dear aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  

Waiting in the stars are Grandpas Elmer White Sr. and Laidman Fox Sr.; uncles Elmer White Jr., Valentino White Sr., Lee Fox, Leonard Fox, brother and best friend Jon Lawrence, niece Breanne Eagleman, nephews Wasaka Stone, aunties LaVonne Alberts, Lynn Spotted Wolf, Linda Fox, Laverne Fox and LeAnn Fox, cousins Lolita White, Dion Iceman Sr., Jordan Iceman, Maria White, Sam Fox and Delray DeMarce.