Sad news about Jack White

Saddened to hear that Jack is not doing well. I have never met him or saw one of his shows but I have his book "Come let us to billiards away" and I wish I would have had the chance to see him play / do a show. Good luck Jack I hope your health improves.
 
Also saddened to hear. From my interactions with Scott, he was a great ambassador to pool. I hope he gets well!
 
Saw Jack at a college in Sacramento back in the mid 60's, he was playing an exhibition 14.1 match with Luther Lassiter. Jack didn't fair too well (but not many would). I was able to get both their autographs, which I still have! Best wishes Jack.
 
I took onepocket lessons from Jack in 1967. Went with him to see UCLA play basketball.
He was really built in there. His name (big letters) is on the side of Pauley Arena.

He is a fun guy with a great sense of humor.
 
Sorry to hear about this Scott. I saw Jack put on a couple exhibitions at University of Arizona back in 1988 or 1989. He was quite the showman and took the time to answer any/all questions. He is a great guy.
 
Scott Lee said:
Jack turned 82 in March. It's not the age, it's the mileage. Jack has spent much of the last 60 years on the road.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

I met Jack in the summer of 1973 when he was doing an exhibition at the Rec Center at Keesler AFB, MS. If he is 82 now, he would have been 41 then and from what I remember he looked a a tad older than 41 at the time.

I remember he was driving a big American car at the time (dark green Cadillac if I remember correctly) and it had one of those plastic magnetic signs on the door that said, "Jack White, World's Best Pool Artist", or something to that effect on it. He may have had one on the passenger side of the car too.

He put on an exhibition and pleased the crowd and if my memory serves me correctly, I think he said something about Minnesota Fats being in BIloxi and he wouldn't play him.

He reminded me of Fats a bit, but I don't know if he was as big of a BSer.

I wish him the best.
 
Scott Lee said:
Jack turned 82 in March. It's not the age, it's the mileage. Jack has spent much of the last 60 years on the road.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

He's probably (almost certainly) done more exhibitions than any other player, past or present. I first met Jack in 1969 at Ye Billiard Den in Hollywood, CA. He had done an exhibition the day before at Long Beach College and was now doing a little hustling around town. :smile:

I ended up going back to Long Beach with him the next day and playing one of the college kids who had gotten a little cocky with him (he couldn't hustle any kids or he would risk losing his job). Jack was looking for a college age kid who could play and he picked me, lucky me. I think we won 40 or 50 bucks but Jack was very happy I put that kid in his place. The kid wasn't really that good, just a big talker, like so many I met back then, circa The Hustler!

We used to call them "pool imposters", guys who dress the part and act the part but really didn't want anyone to challenge them. At first I was a little intimidated by some of these guys, who had nice cues and dressed real sharp, and talked about betting big money. That is until I learned it was mostly an act to look good for the girls. They didn't really want to have to prove it on the table. I would find ways to get them to play me, probing their ego until they had to play at least a few games. For the most part, they were low level players, not even close to shortstop speed. Guys with a pretty stroke and not much more. They all but disappeared by the mid 70's.

Scott, give my regards to Jack. Ask him if he remembers the kid he recruited out of the Billiard Den in Hollywood some 40 years ago. See if he remembers the story I just told you. That would be amazing if he did. He's been around pool forever. By the way, I always thought he had a resemblance to Don Willis. I'm sure he's heard that before.
 
Last edited:
Jay...As you know, like you, I'm here in Vegas, but am planning to visit Jack early next week, in the hospital. From what I understand he is unable to talk, but I hope to see him anyway. I will pass on the good wishes from all of us, both here on AzB and around the world. Jack certainly has done a lot of shows over the decades!

BTW, if anyone is interested in working with me, I'll be in the S CA area for 10 days, starting Sunday 7/27. PM or email me for information about lessons.

Scott Lee
poolology@aol.com
http://poolknowledge.com

jay helfert said:
He's probably (almost certainly) done more exhibitions than any other player, past or present. I first met Jack in 1969 at Ye Billiard Den in Hollywood, CA. He had done an exhibition the day before at Long Beach College and was now doing a little hustling around town. :smile:

I ended up going back to Long Beach with him the next day and playing one of the college kids who had gotten a little cocky with him (he couldn't hustle any kids or he would risk losing his job). Jack was looking for a college age kid who could play and he picked me, lucky me. I think we won 40 or 50 bucks but Jack was very happy I put that kid in his place. The kid wasn't really that good, just a big talker, like so many I met back then, circa The Hustler!

We used to call them "pool imposters", guys who dress the part and act the part but really didn't want anyone to challenge them. At first I was a little intimidated by some of these guys, who had nice cues and dressed real sharp, and talked about betting big money. That is until I learned it was mostly an act to look good for the girls. They didn't really want to have to prove it on the table. I would find ways to get them to play me, probing their ego until they had to play at least a few games. For the most part, they were low level players, not even close to shortstop speed. Guys with a pretty stroke and not much more. They all but disappeared by the mid 70's.

Scott, give my regards to Jack. Ask him if he remembers the kid he recruited out of the Billiard Den in Hollywood some 40 years ago. See if he remembers the story I just told you. That would be amazing if he did. He's been around pool forever. By the way, I always thought he had a resemblance to Don Willis. I'm sure he's heard that before.
Click to expand...
 
Scott Lee said:
Jay...As you know, like you, I'm here in Vegas, but am planning to visit Jack early next week, in the hospital. From what I understand he is unable to talk, but I hope to see him anyway. I will pass on the good wishes from all of us, both here on AzB and around the world. Jack certainly has done a lot of shows over the decades!

BTW, if anyone is interested in working with me, I'll be in the S CA area for 10 days, starting Sunday 7/27. PM or email me for information about lessons.

Scott Lee
poolology@aol.com
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

I remember your telling me some wonderful stories about Jack.

Sorry to hear he is not doing well.

best,
brian kc
 
Tell Jack, a new generation of folks will be wearing his shirts. I just gave mine to my son... brand new, never worn.....fits him like a glove :thumbup:


2014 Jack White 001.jpg

2014 Jack White 002.jpg
 
Last edited:
Scott Lee said:
:frown: I received news today that my long time friend and mentor, Jack White is in hospice care at the VA Hospital in Loma Linda, CA. I knew Jack had been ill for awhile, but I had no idea that it was this bad. I have no other information, although I'm trying to find out more. Perhaps an address for people to send cards to...sadly Jack is computer illiterate.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about Jack, Scott. I know you all are close. Prayers for Jack and his family.
 
Thanks Rufus. I am very sad to report that Jack White passed away last night. Once again, I just missed visiting an old friend before thay passed. I was on the way to Chicago to see Freddie the Beard, and he passed the night before I got there. Now the same thing with Jack White.

Jack White...RIP my friend! You did it YOUR way for your entire life! You were bigger than life! Say hi to Fats and Bunny for me...and I'll see you again some day. :thumbup:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

dr9ball said:
Sorry to hear about Jack, Scott. I know you all are close. Prayers for Jack and his family.
Click to expand...
 
I saw Jack give an exhibition in Biloxi about 30 years ago. What a character and funny, too! RIP, Jack!

Best,
Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top