The mayor of a local city in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has passed away while in office.
White Settlement, a suburb northwest of Fort Worth, announced the passing of Mayor Ronald White on the city’s website.
In a post, the city said White was a dedicated servant of the White Settlement community. His current term in office was slated to end in November of 2023.
“It is with a heavy heart that the City of White Settlement announces the passing of Mayor Ronald A. White,” stated the website.
“Mayor White, a longtime resident and community leader, was in his third term in office as Mayor and had also served the public in one capacity or another for the majority of his adult life,” the statement noted.
“Mayor White was an advocate for advancing the City of White Settlement and his presence around the community and City Hall will be greatly missed,” the city reflected.
Located in Tarrant County, White Settlement was estimated to have a population of just over 18,000 residents in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
According to the city’s website, the name “White Settlement” was originally given to the area during the 1800s by local Native American tribes. The name stuck even after some of the natives joined the white settlers living in the area along the Farmer’s Branch Creek.
Mayor White was 79 when he passed away. His cause of death is currently unknown at this time.
On the city’s Facebook page, citizens have posted condolences and fond memories of Mayor White.
“I remember when my son was 2 or 3, I was looking for a[n] Easter bunny to do photos with. He offered to pay for the photos at the mall for my son to see the bunny. He made my son’s day ’cause he was so excited to see the bunny,” wrote Nancy Lynn Garrett.