Leroy "Lee" Francis White

Retired Master Sergeant

United States Marine Corps

“Semper Fidelis”

September 15, 1945 – October 25, 2024

Lee passed away peacefully from cancer at age 79 on Friday October 25th, 2024, at the VA Hospital in Grand Junction, CO. Lee was supported by his brothers Roger and Wesley during his final days and hours.

A twenty minute honor and committal service will be held Tuesday November 19th at 1:00 p.m. at the Veterans Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, Colorado.

Lee was born September 15, 1945 to Calvin Thomas White and Darlene Fern Peters at the farm of his Grandpa and Grandma White northeast of Fruita, CO.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Janet Crocker, and his second wife Neva Mikkelson. Lee is survived by his brothers Darold (Joy) White, South Beach, OR; Ed White, Eagle Rock, MO; Wesley (Lois) White, Rangely, CO and Roger (Ann) White, Cheyenne, WY, stepson Don (Sharon) Mikkelson, Albuquerque, NM and stepdaughter Sheila Mikkelson, Rio Rancho, NM, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and Aunt Ilene White.

Lee met the first love of his life, Janet Elizabeth Crocker, through Allen Crocker the best friend of his brother Darold. Janet was Allen’s younger sister. Lee and Jan were married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1967 at the Fruita Faith Baptist Church. Lee and Jan were married 39 years until Jan passed away on April 4, 2006. Lee and Jan had no children, but they raised Jan’s nephew Chris Crocker. Lee was a loving husband to Jan.

Lee met the second love of his life Neva Mikkelson when she and Lee happened to visit her Aunt Viola Ward at the same time at the Larchwood nursing home. Lee was renting Viola Ward’s house in Fruita from Viola’s son and our cousin Floyd Ward. Neva was a widow and Lee was a widower and there chance meeting developed into a loving relationship. Lee and Neva were married September 10, 2010 at the Heritage Church in Clifton. Lee and Neva were married 11 years until Neva passed away on February 2, 2021. Lee was a loving husband to Neva.

Lee served in the US Marine Corps for 24 years and retired as a Master Sergeant. After Lee retired he worked for a forklift company as a breakdown and service truck operator, as an assistant personnel manager for Wal-Mart and as a stocker at Safeway stores in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction.

Lee loved classic cars and restored several during his life. Lee bought the metallic red 1965 Mustang our Uncle Richard Cickler owned. Lee completed the restoration and enjoyed entering the Mustang in car shows in Fruita and Grand Junction. He won the best Mustang trophy at the Allen Museum Hot Summer Nights show in 2015.

Lee enjoyed; his neighbors at Midlands Village, the veterans with whom he walked and bowled, his friends at Solstice and the Fruita High School classmates with whom he met at their monthly meetings. Unfortunately, his illness prevented him from attending the 60th reunion of the Class of 1964 during the 2024 Fruita Fall Festival. His family has received many compliments from Lee’s neighbors, nurses, therapists and care givers regarding Lee’s friendly personality.

Lee’s US Marine Corps Career:

We think Lee was destined for the military from birth. He was surrounded by the military from his birth. Mom told us the day Lee was born in his grandparent’s farm house the German prisoners of war from the camp on the Redlands were working in the field next to the house. Grandpa Peters served in the US Army during World War I. Many of his uncles served during World War II and the Korean War. His brothers served in the US Army and US Air Force.

Lee dropped out of Fruita High School to enlist in the US Marine Corps in 1964. Lee later earned his 1964 Fruita High School diploma through a USMC program. Lee was trained as a heavy equipment diesel engine mechanic and later managed the heavy equipment maintenance shops as he advanced in rank.

Lee was proud of the US Marine Corps and a proud US Marine Corps veteran. (We found at least 15 caps, several hats, belt buckles and clothing with different USMC insignia in his house and a variety of USMC memorabilia). Lee was discharged in 1968 from the US Marine Corps after four years. After a few months as a civilian Lee realized he missed the discipline, loyalty and camaraderie of the Corps and reenlisted in the US Marine Corps knowing he would be sent immediately to fight in Vietnam.

Lee served a year in Vietnam during 1968 and 1969, going on patrols in the jungle and manning the observation tower on Hill 35 as a spotter for the firing locations of incoming mortars and rockets.

Lee served many tours of duty in; Korea, Okinawa, Japan; Barstow, CA; Twenty Nine Palms, CA, Camp Lejeune, NC, Stockton, CA, and as a liaison to the USMC Reserve unit in Eugene, OR.

Lee retired from the USMC on July 31, 1988. Lee told our family what happened at his retirement parade. Lee requested the Captain of his Company to invite the Marine Base Commander to Lee’s retirement parade. The Captain responded “He is too busy to come to a Noncommissioned Officer retirement parade. I will not invite him.” The Captain did not know that Lee knew the base commander personally. Lee went to the base headquarters and asked the commander’s aide for an appointment to ask the commander to attend his retirement parade. The Colonel heard Lee’s voice from his office and said “Lee White is that you” and invited Lee into his office. Lee had served with the Colonel in Okinawa. Lee, a Master Sergeant, had been assigned the duties of a First Lieutenant over the equipment maintenance shops for six months when the unit was short staffed.

At Lee’s retirement parade the arrival of the Marine Base Commander surprised the Captain. “RHIP” “Rank Has Its Privileges”. The attendance of the Base Commander required the Captain to give up his seat to the Colonel and move everyone down the row of seats to make room for the Base Commander to sit next to Lee. Lee said the command “Eyes Right” was a moment he would never forget when four companies of troops marched by with “Eyes Right” and saluted to honor him and his career!

Lee earned the following decorations and metals:

Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Pistol Marksman Badge, National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service Metal with 4 Stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame, Vietnam Campaign Metal with Devise, Good Conduct Metal with 5 Stars, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 Star, Meritorious Unit Citation with 1 Star, Meritorious Mast 690517, Meritorious Mast 731211, Letter of Commendation and Letter of Appreciation 850115. The units he served in earned numerous metal and honors.

Donations in Lee’s honor may be made to:

Wounded Warrior Project

The American Legion

Disabled American Veterans

The Heritage Church

Callahan Edfast Mortuary and Crematory and the Veterans Cemetery of Western Colorado are handling arrangements for Lee’s memorial service.

Lee’s family would like to thank the staff at; St. Mary’s Hospital, The Center at Foresight, the VA Hospital, and the VA Hospital Community Living Center for their compassion care of Lee.