Leslie E. White's Obituary
Leslie Emmett "Les" White, 86, of Tacoma, Washington passed away peacefully February 15, 2016. Born July 19, 1929 in Grandview, Washington, Les served for over 25 years in the USAF. He achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and was stationed in Hawaii, Tacoma, Japan, Alabama, New Mexico and ended his military service in Tacoma. He then began his second career as a realtor with Terry Brink Real Estate and Hawkins Poe Real Estate. Les enjoyed his coworkers and maintained friendships with Dottie, Bobby and Harvey for many years.
After his second retirement, Les and his wife of 60 years, Lu, traveled to Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Panama and throughout the United States. They took numerous cruises to various places and enjoyed taking several trips with longtime friends Larry and Sue Holocker.
They regularly attended the Tacoma Music Theater and other social activities with friends. Many of those same friends helped Les celebrate his 85th birthday last July. Those that knew him understood that as his Alzheimer ’s disease progressed he wasn’t his usual easy going self, but he still enjoyed spending time with people and he still loved to laugh, so thank you to those that continued to include him.
Les loved his grandchildren and spent several years as a part time “nanny” for his local grandchildren. He could be found playing baby dolls, hiding in a pretend fort under a card table or even helping the young girls make up cheers. Without fail, every year he spent hours raking the maple leaves into big piles so that the girls could play in them. He didn’t get to see his out of state grandchildren as often, but he followed their progress and enjoyed his visits with them.
He also kept busy by utilizing his handy man skills to maintain several rental properties and to help family, friends, and neighbors with projects. Toward the end of his life duct tape played a bigger role in fixing things, but until then he showed how much he cared by grabbing his tool box and showing up ready to fix it, paint it or help problem solve.
Les is survived by his wife, Luella "Lu"; son Craig White; daughter in law Cheryl White, daughters Lanya Hayden and Lisa White; son in law Shawn Hayden; grandchildren Samantha, Dallas, Vicy, Piper and Wyatt; great granddaughter Sylence, and numerous nephews and nieces.
The family wants to extend its heartfelt thanks to Madigan physicians, nurses and staff that took such great care of Les. We commend the Madigan palliative care team, ICU, Dr. Reed (Hematology) and 6 North providers for their support during such a difficult time. They enabled the family to honor Les’s wishes to pass peacefully and we are forever grateful to them.
~The White Family
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