Richard Allen White

Richard Allen White passed away on April 2, 2017. He was born in Santa Cruz, California, on May 29, 1929, to Ernest and Minnie Annie White. His early childhood was spent in Santa Cruz and in newly established West Sacramento. Richard enjoyed many days at his maternal grandparents’ small ranch nearby, helping with the chores. The family moved to Hornbrook, California, when his father went to work on a ranch, and eventually moved to Medford. Richard left home at an early age to work on a ranch near Klamath Falls. After experiencing several other jobs, he was drafted into the Army in 1951 during the Korean War, and stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. After completing training, he was sent to Darmstadt, Germany, as a medic, and worked in the Army Hospital. After his military service, on his return to the United States, he worked at the Hormel Packing Plant in Stockton, California. He met and married Jackie McLeoud and moved back to Medford and Gold Hill area where his three sons were born. His boys were the love of his life. Perl Funeral Home, Elk Lumber Company, Boise Cascade, Timber Products, and Pinnacle Packing Plant were some of his employers in that area. After divorcing and later moving to Grants Pass, Richard was employed as a school custodian at Manzanita, Merlin, and Fort Vannoy. He then retired from Siskiyou Design as a building custodian after working five more years. Richard loved square dancing, hunting, fishing, and his motorcycles. He belonged to several motorcycle groups: Retreads, URMCI, Gold Wing Roadriders & Gold Wing Touring Association, and the Charlie Browns square dancing club. As a young man he even tried his hand at cross-country motorcycle racing on John’s Peak and eventually moved on to larger motorcycles. After Marrying Carolyn Reinhart in 1987, they spent many days traveling on his Suzuki with several different fifth-wheel trailers over the years. Between the motorcycle riding and RV’ing, all but two of the continental United States as well as British Columbia and Alberta, Canada were visited. Richard is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and two sons, Randy of Pheonix, Oregon, and Michael (Diana) of Sparks, Nevada. Three stepchildren, Cynthia (Eric) Malain of Gladstone, Oregon, Debra (Bruce) Anderson of Rockford, Illinois, Douglas (Cecille) Phillips of Redmond, Washington, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and son Steve. Private services with be held at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Chapel of the Valley-L.B. Hall Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.