Bartlesville's Voice Of The Martyrs Executive Director Dies

A Bartlesville resident who spent a year and a half in a Cuban prison in the late 70s has died.

Dr. Tom White, executive director for The Voice of the Martyrs, a worldwide ministry headquartered in Bartlesville, died Wednesday at the age of 65.

VOM posted the news on its website Wednesday.

"It is with great sadness that The Voice of the Martyrs announces the death of our Executive Director, Tom White. Tom led The Voice of the Martyrs for more than 20 years, including years of incredible growth in the ministry's reach to support and work with persecuted Christians and to share their stories with the American Church. Prior to taking leadership of the ministry he worked alongside VOM's founders, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand. All of our hearts are heavy at this loss, and most of all heavy for Ofelia, Tom's loyal help-mate through years of ministry, including 17 months he spent in a Cuban prison, and for his children and grandchildren."

In May 1979, White was captured by Cuban troops after the plane from which he was dropping Christian leaflets crash-landed on a Cuban highway.

He was tortured and spent months in solitary confinement at Cuba's nortoris Combindado del Este Prison.

In 1982, White authored a book, "God's Missiles Over Cuba."

White is survived by his wife and two children and several grandchildren.

8/2/2006 Related Story: Former Cuban Prisoner Talks About Castro's Cuba