Kenneth Ryan White

Kenneth Ryan White, 35, passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2011 in Khost province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered as the result of a helicopter crash during a combat mission, while serving with Task Force Tigershark. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum. N.Y.

Ken was born September 22, 1975 in Key West, FL to John and Linda (Goldsby) White. He attended schools in Port Neches, TX and New Orleans, LA. His parents moved to Fort Collins in 1994 and he joined the Army in October that year, stationed at Fort Hood, TX and then to Fort Carson at Colorado Springs where he met and married Sarah Richard on October 23, 1998. After returning from Germany, he went to flight school, flying the OH-58D Kiowa helicopter and served two tours in Iraq, August '05 to September '06 and October '08 to October '09. He deployed to Afghanistan in October 2010 and was due to return home in October 2011.

Ken was a man with passion, courage, tenderness, and strength. A success story in life, a wonderful man of God, an extraordinary husband to Sarah and loving father to his three children. An outstanding officer and friend, kind and patient, who inspired others to be better spouses, parents and friends. He was serving his country and doing what he loved best – flying.

Decorations include two Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Army Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, two Iraq Campaign Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the Army Aviator Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Senior Aviator Badge.

Survived by his wife of 12 years, Sarah, of Watertown, NY and three children: daughters Alita and Natalie, and son, Seth. His parents, John and Linda White; a brother, Stephen White and wife, Vanessa, niece, Breanne and nephew, Philip; and by maternal grandmother, Mary Goldsby, all of Fort Collins, grandfather, John White, Sr., of Columbia, MS, grandmother Gloria White of Lacombe, LA., aunt, Lori Daubert (Glenn) and uncle Steve White (Angelle) of Mandeville, LA., father-in-law, James Richard, and wife, Dr. Cindy Rush, of Charleston, S.C. , numerous nieces and nephews, as well as friends and church family in Watertown, NY.

Preceded in death by Don Goldsby, grandfather, of Millington, TN, grandmother Alita Connors of Fort Collins, CO.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:00am Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at Resurrection Fellowship Church in Loveland. Military Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Kenneth Ryan White Memorial Fund in care of Resthaven Funeral Home, 8426 S. Hwy. 287, Ft. Collins, CO. 80525