Leroy V. White

Leroy V. White of Massillon, Ohio, age 76, passed away on Monday, January 30th, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Boardman, Ohio. He was born July 18, 1940 to the late L.V. White and Thelma (Johnson) White-Davis. He was a 1958 graduate of Massillon's Washington High School and a 2009 graduate of Kent State University-Stark with a BA degree in English. Leroy was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force where he worked as a Radar Technician on Airborne Early Warning planes. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, he was hired as a government civilian employee for Newark Air Force Base where he worked on ballistic missile guidance systems. This employment was interrupted by his return to Massillon to operate his father's waste collection business, White's Waste Collection. He then was hired as a Radar Systems Specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Route Traffic Control Center in Oberlin, Ohio. He flourished in a 25 plus year career there retiring in 2000. An avid reader, writer and photographer, anyone who knew Leroy was amazed by his range of knowledge, memory, wisdom and wit. He was an active member of St. James A.M.E. Zion church serving as a finance board member and a trustee. He also volunteered as a J.C. and served a stint in the Promise Keepers organization as well. His love of travel was highlighted by making several trips to Europe especially Germany. He was lucky that his lifelong hobby of airplanes and air travel was a big part of his career. Leroy was a huge Cleveland Brown, Cleveland Indian and Massillon Tiger fan - but his greatest joy was watching his sons, grandsons, nephews and cousins take part in many sporting events. Leroy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joanne (Johnson) White, of Massillon, Ohio. He leaves to cherish three sons; Christopher Cooper of Bad Munster, Germany, Eric White of Massillon, OH, Michael White of Massillon, OH. One daughter, Mignon (Tony) Brooks of Blacklick, OH. Two sisters; Donna Stephens, of Canton, OH and Peggy (Herman) Honaker, of Akron, OH. Six grandchildren; Christopher 'Bubu' Vernon Cooper, Chenice Cooper, Corey Norris, Michael A. White, Brendan White, and Cheyenne Brooks. Sister-in-law, Evelyn Brown. Brother-in-laws; Vernon (Gerri) Johnson, John Henry (Sharon) Johnson, Tyrone Johnson, and Billy Johnson. Special friends; Thomas Spencer, Bobby James, Keith McGuire, and Troy Robinson. Special cousin, the late Jeffrey White, and special Sister-in-law, the late Shirley (Richard) Crenshaw. And a host of loved nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and close friends. A Home Going Celebration will be held on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 12 p.m. at St. James A.M.E. Zion Church in Massillon. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Paquelet Funeral Home on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. and on Monday from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the church. Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory (330) 833-3222