Nathaniel Todd White

Nathaniel Todd White, our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, and friend passed away on August 28, 2023 at his home in Highland, Utah. Born on August 19, 2002, in New Haven, Connecticut, Nathaniel's life was full of miracles.

Prior to his birth, an ultrasound revealed that Nathaniel had severe physical difficulties and that he may not survive the delivery. His family went forward with faith. Through advanced medical procedures and intervention by a loving Heavenly Father, his life was spared, but still hung in the balance. He was ventilated at birth. Over the course of the following months, he received a tracheostomy and a G-tube which enabled Nathaniel to be stable and go home to his family. Nearly seven months after his birth, he was finally able to take that awesome ambulance ride from the hospital in New Haven to his home in Danbury, Connecticut.

Over the next five years, Nathaniel received round-the-clock nursing care from professional nurses, his mom and dad, and even occasionally from his siblings. He patiently endured numerous painful surgeries and procedures - most of which were to correct the shape of his jaw. Finally in April 2008, the glorious day arrived that he was able to be decannulated and then later have his tracheostomy closed.

Nathaniel still had many challenges related to his medical condition, Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. These physical limitations made it difficult for him to walk and play and he wasn't able to run or jump. In spite of this, he lived life to the fullest and devoid of fear. Nathaniel was able to experience the thrill of zip-lining, rappelling in Southern Utah, ski-boat tubing, riding ATVs and swimming with turtles in Hawaii. In many of these activities, he always wanted to go faster.

When he was seven, his family moved to Utah. In spite of all his physical challenges, he was a happy soul, outgoing, and loved to joke with his friends and family. He enjoyed school (but not math), mostly because he loved people. He attended Lone Peak High School. Some of the highlights were prom, homecoming and other various dances that he attended in his power wheelchair. He was the life of the party and his love for life was infectious. As time went by, Nathaniel created numerous, hilarious videos and wanted to be a professional video editor.  

Nathaniel was thrilled to attend the Highland Glen YSA Ward. He loved joking with his friends there and bore a powerful testimony of God's miracles. He would share the story of the blind man that Jesus healed, "that the works of God should be made manifest in him". He saw himself in that story.

In January 2022, Nathaniel began a Service Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He worked primarily in the Family Search Center and developed a great love for this work - often remarking, "we don't talk about family history enough."  He passed away as a missionary and instead of an upcoming release, he is one of the "faithful elders of this dispensation, [who] when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are ... in the great world of the spirits of the dead."

Throughout Nathaniel's 21 years of life, he endured much pain and many trials. He has always been cheerful, happy and full of enthusiasm for life. He has a knack for making people laugh and brightening up any room he walked into. His quick wit and playful nature made him a cherished friend to those who had the privilege of knowing him. He has a heart too big and he lived a life too full for his mortal body. He is dearly loved by his parents, family and friends. Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort in the plan of salvation and that in a coming day, he will enjoy a resurrection of a perfected body. We know that he is now free from the physical limitations of his body and can run and walk, tall and straight. We also find comfort in the messages of many people who have been blessed by their friendship with him.

The family wishes to thank all the many caregivers that helped Nathaniel over the years-doctors, nurses, emergency services, school personnel, aides, friends from high school, youth leaders, YSA Ward leaders & friends, mission leaders, fellow missionaries, and many others that helped along the way.

He leaves behind his loving mom and dad, Ruth and Todd White, his siblings, Joshua (Lincoln) White, Arianne (David) Lindsey, Joseph White, his adored nephew and nieces, Ruger, Adelaide, and Emmalynn, and his grandparents, Bev White, and Carlos and Vivian Adams. Additionally, he is survived by his aunts and uncles: Scott & Michelle White, Julie & Matthew Maddox, Jeannine & Kent Savage, David & Marie Adams, Daniel & LuAnn Adams, Mary & James Summerhays and  many cousins whom he loved intensely and who will miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Glenn White and an aunt, Rebecca Adams.  

We love you, Nathaniel and we're so glad you came to our family!

Viewing: 
Date: September 5, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Anderson and Sons Mortuary- Lone Peak Chapel
Address: 6141 W 11000 N, Highland, UT 84003

Viewing:
Date: September 6, 2023
Time: 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Location: Highland 15th Ward Chapel
Address: 5212 West Country Club Drive, Highland, UT 84003

Funeral Service:
Date: September 6, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Highland 15th Ward Chapel
Address: 5212 West Country Club Drive, Highland, UT 84003

Please share a memory on Nathaniel's Tribute Wall at www.AndersonMortuary.com.

 Click on the link below to watch via livestream:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81125014834?pwd=eHFrY0RJOUNpSGtqZDcxN0NFd2F6Zz09