Arrangements have been announced for Tom White, the decorated harness racing communicator that passed away last month.
A celebration of White's life will be held in the clubhouse at the Red Mile in Lexington, Ky., from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday (April 6). Friends are invited to share their personal memories and stories of Mr. White, who passed away on February 4 at the age of 85.
White served as public relations director at the historic Red Mile from 1973-87 and again from 1997 until he retired in 2005. He wrote two books about harness racing: ‘Harness Racing History in Kentucky’ and ‘A Century of Speed,’ which celebrated the centennial of the Red Mile.
An Indiana native, White graduated from the University of Kentucky, after which he became a sports writer for the ‘Lexington Leader’ newspaper. While covering harness racing he fell in love with the sport, and he soon left the newspaper to write for ‘The Horseman And Fair World’ and ‘Hoof Beats’ magazines. He then went to work his first stint at the Red Mile, where he introduced the famous Memorial Day Chili Cook-Off and Concerts in the infield.
Over his career, White was also public relations director at Scioto Downs and the famed Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fair in Ohio.
He was inducted into the Communicator’s Hall of Fame in 2005.
A huge fan of University of Kentucky Wildcat basketball, it would only be apropos if the celebration of White’s life would be held the same day this year’s team participates in the Final Four.
White’s wife of 60 years, Frances ‘Frankie,’ passed away last year. White is survived by his children, Scott (Susan) and Marianne (Gary) Mosley, and grandchildren Caroline, Nathanael, Emily Mosley and Elizabeth Mosley.
(The White Family)