Harold Lee White

January 31, 1932 – December 26, 2018

Survivors:

Wyn-Nelle Lee White, beloved wife of 62 years

Richard Ross "Rick" White, son (Jill Sanders White, daughter-in-law)

Susanne "Susy" White, daughter

Reed Christopher White, grandson (Christine McNutt White, granddaughter-in-law)

Preceded in death:

Ryan Scott White, grandson

Mary Patricia Baggett White, mother

Forest White, father

Harold "Sonny" White grew up in the small town of Cairo, Illinois. Lots of things to love about Cairo: pit

barbecue, butter-top coffee cakes, fishing from the Mississippi levee, going all over town on his bike

with friends he would keep in touch with for a lifetime, special relationships with teachers and coaches

who encouraged his talents (track and field, drama, music).

Started college at Southern Illinois University in nearby Carbondale, working in a local menswear store

summers and holidays to help with tuition. Drafted into the US Army in the summer of 1953. Served first

at Fort Riley, Kansas. Then at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Exited the Army in 1955 and finished school at Northwestern State College, Natchitoches, Louisiana, on

the GI Bill and a track scholarship. Met and married Wyn-Nelle Lee (1956). Jefferson County Schools

came to NSC recruiting teachers, so Harold signed up and he and Wyn-Nelle moved to Colorado in 1957.

He was a loving husband, and a devoted father to Rick and Susy. And a wonderful grandfather to Ryan

and Reed, introducing Reed to music and taking him to piano lessons. Reed has become a talented

drummer, playing with several bands.

He taught school and coached for 3 years at Jefferson High School in Edgewater. While there his Cross

Country team won the state championship in their division. He worked for Conoco for 12 years—moving

to Colorado Springs, Sterling, Steamboat Springs, and Houston, Texas. In 1970, back in Colorado, he

leased a Conoco service station (Bear Valley Conoco) and was there for 25 years, then worked at G&S Oil for 20+ years.

His passion was music. He learned to play the trumpet and after World War II played “Taps” at many

military funerals. Cairo’s National Guard had been called up and there were many casualties. Of course

he played football, but at home games he played with the band at halftime. He acted in plays and

musicals in high school. He loved Dixieland jazz, Al Jolson, and Frank Sinatra.

He performed professionally at venues in the Denver/Colorado Springs area, and at many functions and

events—high school proms, Conoco promotions, community fundraisers, weddings, etc. He had a “gig”

whenever and wherever he could get one.

Another passion was track and field. His main event was the high jump, but he also long-jumped and

threw the javelin. His personal best in the high jump was 6 feet 8 ½ inches. He pursued this interest

throughout his life, participating in Master’s track meets around the country. That career ended when

he tore a rotator cuff high jumping in the garage!

He was a remarkable storyteller and a very good public speaker. He was such an exceptional person,

overcoming obstacles and achieving so much. He liked people and was interested in a lot of things. His

attitude was one of optimism and enthusiasm. He will be missed and remembered by everyone who

knew him.