Bird Soldier White

Bird left his earthly body just before 2:26am on April 2nd, 2025. The hospice nurse described it as “the prettiest death” he’d seen in a long time, as Bird was joined in bed, holding hands, with the love of his life. Though he had been living with cancer for some time, a noticeable shift in his condition prompted him to gather his whole family– filling his world with love and presence just weeks before his passing. He never let go of hope for a miraculous healing, but also began to look forward to the peace of a painless, heavenly body. In the “end”, he received the greatest miracle of all: eternal life.

Bird was born on April 18th, 1973, in Pierre, South Dakota, to Charles White and Vonnie White Jonson. His given name was Justin. He spent his childhood in Lemmon, SD, a small town that insisted he have a wild imagination. He often dressed up as different characters and spent time exploring the woods and climbing trees, telling jokes, or riding his bike to the train tracks. His family later moved to Rapid City, where he spent his adolescence and young adult life. In the late 80s, he and his best friend Kevin formed a rap duo called “Power in Unity Posse”, in which he went by “GOJ” or Gangster of Justice. This may have marked the beginning of his journey to challenge the status quo. While attending SDSU Brookings, he began to sense that there was more to life than met the eye. His spiritual journey started taking shape, sparking a deeper search for meaning and purpose.

He raised two incredible daughters, an honor he considered one of the greatest highlights of his life, shared with his previous wife, Ginger Jones Boyd. After receiving pastoral training at Black Hills Health and Education Center, his ministry took their young family on bold, faith-filled adventures to many places, including Panama and Belize. They often didn’t know exactly where they were headed, but trusted they were being guided. From living in a hut in the rainforest and cooking over open fires, to leading churches and running a natural remedies training center, Bird pursued his calling wholeheartedly. Over time, however, the weight of religious expectations led him to a turning point, prompting a reevaluation of his faith and sense of purpose.

Bird and his family eventually settled in California, where he stepped away from formal ministry and began exploring new paths. He graduated from Santa Barbara Radiology and opened Circle the Earth, a “hippie shop” that reflected his evolving interests. He also immersed himself in photography, creating conceptual pieces with a unique perspective. Later, they moved to Chattanooga, TN, where Bird dove into music, poetry, and community-building and opened another shop called Seed. Throughout his life, he lived in ten different states and visited all fifty, embracing the experiences and connections each place offered. This openness to movement and change also mirrored the inner journey taking place.

As he moved forward, Bird experienced a profound spiritual renewal. A transformation not of doctrine, but of heart. Though always a person of faith, this chapter of his life marked a shift from performance to authenticity, from preaching to practicing. Faith became more about grace than striving. It was in this season of personal revelation that Bird embraced a new name– one that reflected the truest version of who he was in God’s eyes. Much like Abram becoming Abraham, or Jacob becoming Israel, the name change was an act of faith, freedom, and love. It wasn’t about leaving the past behind, but honoring who he was becoming.

Bird had a free spirit and craved community. He wasn’t interested in small talk, he wanted genuine connection. A spiritual seeker and contemplator, he had a deep love for Jesus and a heart for seeing people transformed through knowing God. He effortlessly inspired those around him to walk a more spiritual path. “The veil is thin!” he’d say. He didn’t care for labels or trying to fit into a box; instead, he marched to the beat of his own drum, embracing the newfound fullness of who he was. And in that fullness, Bird met his match– his eternal partner, Kelsey. Their love felt divinely timed, magnetic, and sacred. Everyone around them could feel the magic of their connection and the deep joy they carried simply by being together.

He continued to live with presence and wonder. He took a deep dive into his Lakota ancestry. He found his purpose: to “Be The Tree”. Roots deep, branches spread wide, reaching up to the One, producing fruit. He was astounded by the simplicity after years of searching. All he had to do was be himself and he did that so well! You could find him at the farmers’ market playing his flute and didgeridoo, taking a dip in a creek, dancing barefoot in the park, or journaling on a comfy couch in a coffee shop. If you asked what he did for a living, he’d say, “To pay the bills, I shoot x-rays” and then go on listing things he truly loved to do. He refused a mundane existence.

Bird is survived by his wife Kelsey White; daughters Alijah Krein (Jake K.) and Amariah Miller (Jake M.); grandmother Juliana Skogen; father Charles White; mother Vonnie White Jonson (Steven); sister Amanda Guatemala (Carlos); nephews Jamin and Zion Guatemala; niece Jaliah Guatemala; two grandsons Dakota and Camden Krein; several aunts, uncles, and cousins, and sooo many friends– each one cherished by Bird, who always made people feel seen, known, and loved. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Myron and Rita White, his maternal grandfather Richard Nelson, and his uncles Gary and Keith White.

An Arkansas Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 1st at 3:30pm CDT at Wellspring of the Ozarks (12133 Volcano Rd West Fork, AR 72774). FB Event to RSVP: https://fb.me/1URO0nYeM3XsD0X

A South Dakota Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 15th at 4:00pm MDT at Black Hills Receptions (10400 SD-44 Rapid City, SD 57702). FB Event to RSVP: https://fb.me/1YrIJ0XnJXbxsYC

All are welcome to join in celebrating and honoring Bird’s earthly walk and transition onward. For those who can’t attend in person, both events will be livestreamed so everyone who loves him can join, near or far. Please RSVP to the FB events so we can plan for seating and food! And if you’re not on FB, send a text to Kelsey (479) 287-1717 (AR) or to Vonnie (605) 431-7813 (SD).

In lieu of flowers, financial support for Bird’s wife, Kelsey, as she navigates this next chapter is deeply appreciated. Even in his final days, he held onto the dream of the future they were building together. If you feel led, contributions can be made via Venmo: @supkelseywhite.

Bird’s podcast: Be The Tree:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Q24uY4qGyBj33npe4wrzv?si=96dfc92f4a3e4a88