Calvin R White was born in Poplarville, Mississippi, to Marvin and Marjorie (Daniels) White. His family raised all types of animals, showed cattle and horses, roped, hunted and fished. He went to undergraduate school at Pearl River Junior College, then on to Mississippi State University. In 1977, he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University.
He began the first four years of his veterinary career in Coalgate, OK. He then moved to Ada, in 1981, and purchased half interest in the Ada Veterinary Clinic. White purchased the other half of the practice in 2007 and remained sole owner until January 2017 when he sold the practice to his associates Dr. Durham and Dr. Bryant.
White has served on the advisory board for the Murray State College Veterinary Technology Program. He is a mentor for the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Oklahoma School of Math and Science. Local 4-H and FFA programs have benefited from Dr. White’s strong support of the education of young people. He has provided programs at numerous Career Days; has been a 4-H and FFA volunteer, 4-H Horse Club Leader, and holds an Honorary State FFA Degree.
White has been active in both the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association. Dr Calvin White, Alice Holmes, Tanna Smith and Robin Merrill were the founders of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Youth Scholarship Fund through the American Quarter Horse Foundation. He is an OQHA director, the 2008 OQHA President and an Elected National Director for AQHA. He serves on the AQHA Public Policy Committee and Chairperson of the AQHA Political Action Committee. In March of 2018, Calvin will be elevated to the lifetime tenure designation of AQHA Director Emeritus for his ten years of service.
The veterinary profession in Oklahoma has been the beneficiary of White’s service as the Southeast District Alternate Director and as chair of the OVMA Legislative Committee. Calvin served as the 2010 President of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association. Dr White was named 2012 Oklahoma Veterinarian of the Year by OVMA.
He has served on the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Foundation (OVMF) Board of Trustees and as OVMF Vice-President.
Dr White was one of four Auburn University alumni who were recognized as the 2013 Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni. This prestigious award is the highest honor given to an alumnus of the college to honor their outstanding contributions to animal welfare, their communities, accomplishments in veterinary medicine and the advancement of human welfare.
In his community, Dr. White is Past President of the Pontotoc County Cattlemen Association, has served on the Ada Chamber of Commerce, and as an adviser to the Pontotoc County Animal Shelter. He has served on the advisory board for Marketing and Tourism for Pontotoc County.
His greatest pride and joy however is his family. He and his wife Norma have four children eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They live in Roff, OK, and raise cow-bred ranch horses. As retirement is approaching they are looking forward to trail riding and team roping.
