Neighborly Sawmilling with Mr. White

For 15 years, I've had the pleasure of knowing Mr. John Earl White, my parents' neighbor and a man who has become a mentor and friend. Our connection was forged through a shared passion for woodworking, sparked by the sight of a sawmill sign in his driveway. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on countless projects with Mr. White, and through him, Wood-Mizer has made an impact on my life.

Born in 1933 in Northeast Louisiana, Mr. White’s journey took him from rural roots in his early years to life in the city after high school. He attended LSU, graduating in 1955, and went on to dedicate 35 years to teaching high school, with part-time teaching stints at LSU and trade school. 

For years, Mr. White relied on a homemade band saw to mill lumber, a labor-intensive process. But after discovering and purchasing a Wood-Mizer in 1996, he never looked back. Mr. White set a personal goal to mill until he was 86, and upon reaching that goal, sold his trusty LT40 sawmill. However, not long after selling it, he realized he needed another one for smaller hobbyist projects. So, Mr. White purchased an LT15 but quickly returned to his LT40 with a new goal of milling until he was 91.

 One of Mr. White's favorite projects is the guest house cabin he built on his property. Over the span of six months, he milled every piece of lumber and crafted the cabin himself. It stands as a testament to his craft, work ethic, resourcefulness, and skill set. Even at church events, men sixty years his junior couldn’t keep up with him. Mr. White finds a purpose for everything, minimizing waste and breathing new life into materials others might discard. He values being environmentally friendly and finds creative ways to do so.

In 2024, he approached me and said it was time to retire from sawmilling. I felt honored that he chose to share his final job with me. I had several cypress logs at home that needed milling, so he brought his Wood-Mizer over and we spent the day working together. Despite the scorching Louisiana summer heat, Mr. White stayed the course until we finished the job. His unwavering work ethic and resourcefulness are a true inspiration. The sawmill is his connection to a bygone era, a time of self-sufficiency and pride in one’s work.

Working with Mr. White has not only honed my woodworking skills but also instilled in me the values of hard work, resourcefulness, and environmental stewardship. His legacy will always be a part of my life.