George White, Former School Trustee, Dies : Obituary: Former Capistrano Unified board member pioneered efforts to ensure education for the disabled. He was 69.

George L. White, a former Capistrano Unified School District trustee and pioneer in efforts to ensure public education for handicapped people, died Tuesday night after a long illness. He was 69.

White, a San Clemente resident, served on the Board of Trustees for 12 years, from 1971 through 1983. In 1990, the district honored him with the opening of George White Elementary Elementary School in Laguna Niguel.

A memorial service will be held April 17 at 11 a.m. at George White Elementary School, 25422 Chapparosa Park Drive in Laguna Niguel.

White’s interest in educating the disabled stemmed from his own medical condition. While serving in the Navy in World War II, White developed a non-combat-related medical condition that left him a paraplegic.

Even before federal legislation was passed in 1975 ensuring handicapped students the right to a “free and appropriate public education,” White was known as an advocate for the rights of the handicapped.

As a school board member, he gave particular attention to children with exceptional needs.

“George was one of the real altruistic people,” said former Trustee Ed Westberg, who served for years with White on the school board. “He really wanted nothing back personally. He was just a giving, giving guy.”

Then-state Supt. of Public Instruction Wilson Riles appointed White a member of the state Department of Education Advisory Committee for the Development Center for the Handicapped. He was also active in numerous other local and regional groups, including the Orange County Social Programs Advisory Committee. He was co-founder of the now defunct Listening Ears Hotline for troubled youth.

While a trustee, he served three one-year terms as president of the board and three one-year terms as vice president. He also was both president and vice president of the Capistrano-Laguna Beach Regional Occupation Program board of directors and a member of the California State PTA since 1954.

White is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of San Clemente; two daughters, Deborah Mellah and Nancy Nourani, both of San Clemente; and three grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the George L. White Memorial Fund for Education, which will be used to help support various programs in the Capistrano Unified School District. Memorial donations can be sent in care of Mariner’s Bank, PO Box 3399, San Clemente, Calif. 92674-3399.