Florin Wrye White, Jr., 81, of Lillian, AL, passed away with his family at his side on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

Florin was born June 8, 1938 in Tuscaloosa, AL. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force, Florin served his country in the skies, on dusty airstrips on six continents, and at sea on the USS Kitty Hawk. After an enlistment as an infantryman in the Alabama Army National Guard, he went on to a long Air Force career that included gunship squadron commander, master navigator, air commando, and bushfighter. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. In retirement, Florin enjoyed most of all spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren (when he wasn't dominating Sudoku puzzles). Florin graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in political science and put it to use as a counterinsurgency and unconventional warfare expert.

He is preceded in death by his father, Florin; mother, Sarah (née MacDonald); and brothers, William and Donald.

He is survived by his wife, Martha (née Caton); his daughter, Katheryn Maloney (Laron) of Cedartown, GA; his sons, Florin III (Traci) of Gulf Breeze, FL and Richard of Oklahoma City, OK; his grandchildren, Kalen Maloney and Larah Maloney of Cedartown, GA, Rylie and Joshua of Gulf Breeze, FL, and Christin (Jason) Mossing of Cantonment, FL; his great-grandchildren, Cali and Alex; and his devoted dog, Beau.

His disarming charisma, razor-sharp wit, and piercing blue eyes will be missed by all.

Memorial Service will be held 12:30pm Monday, October 7, 2019 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd in Pensacola, with Chaplain Ken Griffin officiating. Committal service will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors.

All present and past air commandos and special operations forces are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.