Obituary: White, Patrick Lee
Age 64
WHITE,
Patrick Lee
(Age 64)
Passed from this world surrounded by family on October 31, 2014.
He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on August 15, 1950 to David and Mary White.
He was lovingly married to Aleta Quantz for 42 years and fathered three children, Poppy White, Shy Curtis, and Kyle White; and grandfathered four children, Donovan White, Elias Curtis, Kelan White and Kaitlyn White.
He left North Central High School to serve his country at the age of 17 as an Army Private First Class and General Equipment Operator in combat service from 1967 to 1970 serving one tour as a paratrooper in Korea and going on to survive two tours in Vietnam.
He worked for the Spokane City Water Department for 25 years.
He volunteered with Spokane Valley Jaycees in the 1970s.
He was a Cub Scout Leader in the 1990s.
Pat, or Fluffy, was a proud Irishman, consummate storyteller, and jokester.
His laugh was loud and infectious.
He was seen on U.S. national television dancing on stage during a Bob Hope USO special from Vietnam and won countless dance competitions doing his famous “gator.”
His presence never went unnoticed and he was always the life of the party.
People who knew him are often heard saying “As Pat White would say…” and repeating one of his well-known phrases such as “…it’s good enough for government work!”
His life revolved around his family and each day he was sure to tell them “I love you one more than you love me always.”
He was devoted to his mother, Mary White, who preceded him in death in 2009.
He loved to camp and to fish and spent most of his time outdoors.
Pat loved an audience and was blessed with the gift of gab even prior to kissing the Blarney Stone on a trip to Ireland with his eldest daughter in 2006.
He erected countless swimming pools in the backyard for his children, grandchildren, and neighborhood kids, where he could be seen each summer throwing children into the water.
His home was open to any and all and he greeted each with a warm “wuh.”
Pat was undeniably generous and would give you the shirt off his back if he thought it would help.
The Old Hippie is also survived by brothers Thomas White of Spokane, WA, Michael White of Priest Lake, ID, David White of Walnut Creek, CA; sisters Angela Young, Mary Deanna Colistro, and Anne Marie Erret, all of Spokane, WA; nieces and nephews, Godchildren, surrogate children and his beloved Chihuahua Toffee, from whom he was never separated.
He was loved by anyone who ever met him and will be missed.
A funeral service will be held at the Heritage Funeral Chapel on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 12:30pm followed by a graveside service at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery.
Donations can be made in Pat’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project.