It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of John Erwin White. John passed peacefully on July 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and grandchildren after a short, but courageous battle with brain cancer. John was born on November 4, 1939, in Sterling, Colorado to Wilfred White and Vera Camp White. He graduated from Sterling High School in 1957. On May 4, 1963 he became the father to his only son, John White, Jr. On February 26, 1992, John married his beloved Wilma Dalpra in a ceremony in Maui, Hawaii. This marked the beginning of a loving partnership that spanned decades.
Early in his life, John worked various jobs in Colorado and Texas, including traveling to Wyoming, as a sewing machine repair man. In 1968 he started working in Longmont, Colorado for Allstate as an insurance agent, where he served for 32 years. During this time, he built a large customer base and earned widespread respect from colleagues and clients alike before retiring in 2000. John cherished the lifelong friendships he made at Allstate.
John was an avid hunter and fisherman which began with his dad when he was very young. He hunted throughout his entire life with his dad, son, grandchildren, and friends. John loved teaching his son, grandchildren, and the young boys on the farm all about hunting and gun safety. John went moose hunting in October with his two grandsons and deer hunting in December with his grandson Travis, nephew Troy, and friend Dennis. In February he took his final trip goose hunting. Throughout his life, John took many trips to Canada and Alaska to fish and visit with friends. On fishing trips to Alaska, he got the best shrimp, salmon, and halibut that you could ever eat! Some of his most memorable moments were the 655-pound Marlin he caught in Mexico with John, Jr. and Greg, his Boone and Crockett record deer, and the large bull moose he got in Walden, Colorado.
Everyone John met had an immediate attraction to him. He was a very calming person with a gentle voice and a soft touch. He was willing to do anything for everyone. John had a special kind of love for his grandkids and great-grandkids. He also loved dogs. His love for dogs began in childhood when his dad trained dogs for hunting. One of John’s final acts of kindness was to donate his pacemaker to the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine to be used to assist a dog in need.
John was preceded in death by his parents Wilfred (Whitey) and Vera White, his son John White, Jr., his brother David White, sister Carita (Joyce) Schreiber, mother and father-in-law Dorothy and Gilbert Dalpra, brother-in-law David Dalpra, and nephew David (Doug) Dalpra.
He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years Wilma White; granddaughters Stephanie (Zach) Juth, Breanna (Tanner) Hedstrom, Nicolle (Brett) Yegge, and Makaila Haberl; Grandsons Travis (Amber) Byers, Zachary Haberl, and Brendan Haberl; Seven Great-Grandchildren Zachary, Annabel, Lane, Sutton, Luke, Lincoln, and Travis Jr.; Sisters-in-law Carolyn Jarnagin, Frances (Len) Switzer, Virgina (Mike) Haggerty, and Diana (Jim) Jordan; Brother-in-law Charles (Cindy) Dalpra; And numerous nieces and nephews. He was also survived by his beloved dog Casey Bear as well as Koda Bear and Mecho Bear.
A funeral service for John will be held Friday, July 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Howe Mortuary Chapel, 439 Coffman Street, Longmont, Colorado 80501. A reception will follow at 2:00 PM in the Howe Mortuary Reception Room. A graveside inurnment will occur Monday, July 29, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Foothills Gardens of Memory, 14241 N 107th Street, Longmont, Colorado 80504.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in John’s honor be made to the Longmont Humane Society, The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
John Erwin White leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. He will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Services are entrusted to Howe Mortuary & Crematory of Longmont, Colorado.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the White family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.3