Cleo Clinton White

C.C., known as White or Whitey to family, friends and colleagues, was born October 12, 1930 in Coffeyville, Kansas and passed away August 14, 2016 in Tulsa at the age of 85. Preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Wayne White and Ruth Westervelt White, brothers and sisters, Edwin White, Wanda Lee White Hills, Earl Wayne White, Mary Sue White Parsons, and son-in-law Fred Landesman. Survived by his wife, Virginia Ione Rippetoe White, sons, David Bruce White and his wife Judy, Donald Dale White and his wife Gina, and daughter, Sandy Kay White Landesman, grandchildren, Christopher White, Ryan White, Lindsey White, Justin Landesman, Matthew Landesman and great-grandchildren, Caitlynn White, Cooper White, Remington White and Brooklyn Landesman. On June 3, 1951, Dad married Virginia, the love of his life and life partner of 65 years. In Coffeyville, they began their family and Dad pursued his hobby of stock car racing. With a young family, he was encouraged to give up driving and he became the flagman at local race tracks in Southeast Kansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma, while working at Continental Can Company. In 1962, the family moved to Tulsa where Dad was a supervisor/manager at North American Aviation/Rockwell International. He played a major role in the establishment and management of the pricing and estimating functions. In his 24- year tenure he was directly involved in Hound Dog Missiles, Apollo, Space Shuttle, 757, B-1B and Boeing 747 programs. Family vacations included camping out on area lakes and Dad's favorite, visiting the Rocky Mountains. After retiring in 1986, he built a log cabin in the Rocky Mountains overlooking Quartz Creek Valley in Colorado and it became their summer vacation home for many years. He was actively involved in the church and community in Pitkin, CO. Being outdoors, fishing, gardening, woodworking and watching Nascar were activities he pursued with great enthusiasm. "God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so he put His arms around you and whispered "Come to me." With tearful eyes we watched you, as you slowly slipped away and though we loved you dearly, we couldn't make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating your tired hands were put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. God Bless." The family gratefully appreciates the care provided by Grace Hospice their staff, Vonda Holbrook, Hayley Gaybel, Shontae Mure, Jessica Paisley, Veronica Wilson and Alicia Cole. Gwen Robertson from Comfort Keepers is a trusted caretaker, gardener and garage assistant to "White" and Virginia. She was his "angel" in his last months. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Victory Christian Center or Grace Hospice. Services 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Victory Christian Center. Under the direction of Moore's Eastlawn Chapel, 918-622-1155 .

Cleo Clinton White

October 12, 1930 - August 14, 2016