Lloyd White

Lloyd N. White, 94, of Colby, died Monday, November 2, 2015 at Citizens Medical Center, Colby, KS. He was born January 19, 1921, on a farm in Grant Township, Rawlins County, KS to Alfred Warren and Agnes Caroline (Larsen) White. He graduated from Colby High School in 1939. On June 30, 1940, Lloyd married Lucille Jackson, Atwood, KS, and, to this union, four children were born. Lloyd, a lifelong farmer, was very active in his community, with consistent supportive help from Lucille. A founding board member, Lloyd made the motion to begin Colby Community College. He was also a founding board member for the Prairie Museum of Art and History and served on the boards for Colby Public Schools, Production Credit Association, Federal Land Bank, Kansas Livestock Association, Hi Plains Coop, Rural Electric Association, and Thomas County Farm Bureau. Lloyd first dreamed of, and was instrumental in, the Cooper Barn relocation. He founded “Homesteader Harvest Day, the Sam White Way” and was a Highlander 4-H Club community and livestock project leader. Having helped Vernie Kear as a young boy, he later assumed a long leadership of the annual Thomas County Fair “Pioneer Day”. Lloyd began his journey of faith in Christ at the Prairie Rose Chapel, later becoming an active member /lay leader for Wesley Chapel, followed by the Colby United Methodist Church. At age 6, Lloyd had been bedridden with Rheumatic Fever when his mother passed away. To both cope with his loss and remain quiet for recuperation, he learned to play a ¾ size fiddle, purchased by his Dad at the local drug store, and guitar. Through the years, Lloyd also played, all by ear, mandolin, tenor banjo, steel guitar, C Melody Saxophone and piano; however, the fiddle was always his favorite. Having won numerous fiddle contests, Lloyd was once honored to play with Charlie Daniels in concert, and he long led the “Pitchfork Band” that played for dances and community events. Other creative efforts included metal art sculpture, drawing, sod house construction, and building a variety of equipment, toys, and helpful products for Lucille, farm and family. Lloyd will long be remembered for his strong work ethic and eager willingness to help those in need.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lois Robinson; brothers, Harold Alfred White and Gerry White; and step-brother, Jack Tuttle.

Having recently celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary, Lloyd is survived by his wife, Lucille, Colby, KS; son, William L. (Nancy) White, M.D., Phoenix, AZ; daughter, Shirley (Dan) Bourquin, Colby, KS; son, Larry (Becky) White, Levant, KS; and daughter, Debbie (Bob) Payne, Shidler, OK; half-sister, Mary G. Billinger, Plainville, KS; fifteen grandchildren: Deborah (Shelly) Gabriel, Neil White, Heather Brodhurst, and Jennifer Alcala; Chad Bourquin and Bret Bourquin; Kim Hunter, Aaron White, Devon White Meyer, Layne Sitton, and Tyler Wolfe; Lacey Dale Gracia; Reg Cully, D.C., Angela Barnes and Bobby W. Payne; forty great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m, Friday, November 6, 2015, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2015, at the Colby United Methodist Church. Memorials are suggested to the church, Prairie Museum of Art & History, or Colby Community College, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com