Obituary John Erwin White –

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of John Erwin White. John passed away 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 of his only son, John White, Jr. On February 26, 1992, John married his sweetheart Wilma Dalpra in a ceremony in Maui, Hawaii. This marked the beginning of a loving partnership that spanned decades. Early in life, John held various jobs in Colorado and Texas, including trips to Wyoming as a sewing machine repairman. In 1968, he began working in Longmont, Colorado for Allstate as an insurance agent, where he worked for 32 years. During this time he built a large client base and earned a lot of respect from coworkers and customers before retiring in 2000. John cherished the lifelong friendships he made at Allstate. John was an avid hunter and fisherman, starting with his father when he was very young. He hunted with his father, son, grandchildren and friends his entire life. John enjoyed teaching his son, grandchildren and the young boys on the ranch about hunting and gun safety. John would go elk hunting with his two grandsons in October and deer hunting with his grandson Travis, nephew Troy and friend Dennis in December. He went goose hunting for the last time in February. Throughout his life John made many trips to Canada and Alaska to fish and visit friends. On fishing trips to Alaska he caught some of the best shrimp, salmon and halibut you could ever eat! Some of his most memorable moments were catching a 655 pound marlin in Mexico with John, Jr. and Greg, his Boone and Crockett record deer and the large bull elk he caught in Walden, Colorado. Everyone who met John was immediately drawn to him. He was a very calming person with a soft voice and a gentle demeanor. He was willing to do anything for anyone. John had a special love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved dogs. His love for dogs began in childhood when his father trained dogs for hunting. One of John’s last acts of kindness was donating his pacemaker to the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine to help 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-in-law 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 is also survived by his beloved dog Casey Bear, as well as Koda Bear and Mecho Bear. A funeral service for John will be held on 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 interment will take place on 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 Wildlife Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, the Rocky Mountain Elk Fund, or a charity of one’s choice. John Erwin White leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. He will be deeply 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 for the White family at www.howemortuary.com.