Chad Matthew White

Chad Matthew White, 52, of Emmett, Idaho, passed away on August 11, 2026.

Chad was born the youngest of three children to Dennis W. and Susan K. White (Chadwick). Chad was a very gentle, sweet boy. He loved anything to do with Garfield. He also loved puppets. He had a small hand puppet he named Harold that was always by his side, and a monkey puppet that hung around his neck. He especially loved the family dog, Captain, and enjoyed having that dog pull him in his wagon. That was until the dog decided to go to one side of the neighbor’s lamp post and the wagon went on the other side. His siblings laughed at the sight but were also horrified to see him flying around that post by his chin. 

In grade school he started playing baseball and was a terrific catcher. He could pick off a runner going to second base from his crouching position. In junior high he took up basketball and ran track. He continued track in high school, and high jumping was his favorite. He was 8th grade class president and gave the graduation commencement speech.

In 1992 he graduated from Emmett High School, then served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army, stationed in Korea and the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Chad returned to Idaho and married Rashelle White (Douka), and they raised their three children in his hometown.  He worked in Boise as a plumbing foreman, and was always thoughtful and meticulous in his work.

In his free time he enjoyed playing games, discussing philosophies and ideas, teaching his kids about science and the world, and watching movies and shows and then talking about them after. He enjoyed spending time at home. You could find him sitting on the porch playing his acoustic bass guitar or reading, and he would call his wife outside to see particularly beautiful sunsets together.  

He was smart, playful, and kind.  When someone needed help on the side of the road, he would stop.  He could look at the world and see how its systems were broken or unjust, and he tried to help others see it too.  He had no problem with going against the grain. Chad was genuine and good.

Chad was loved by many, and he will be so deeply missed.

Chad is survived by his children, William/Will White, Owen/Claire White, and Joscelyn White; parents, Dennis and Susan White; brother Paul White and sister Heather (Brian) Gregory.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Harold and Ina White, and Milton (Bus) and Fern Chadwick.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett, ID.

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