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Leonard White III

1939 - 2014

BORN

1939

DIED

2014

Leonard White Obituary

Leonard White III, 75, of La Quinta, Ca, passed away Tues, Dec 9,2014, peacefully at home of heart failure. He was born May 21, 1939 to Eleanor and Leonard White Jr. in Chicago, Ill. He was educated by Leo Catholic HS and his education at Harvard University was cut short by his enrollment in the Air Force. As an Airman, he was a Radio Communications Interceptor and Instructor and received the Good conduct Medal, Special Operations Medal and the Longevity Service Award.

Leonard has served as President and CEO of Rigel Enterprises, Inc., a management and private investment firm. Prior to that, President and CEO of Orion Pictures Corporation and Metromedia Entertainment Group. He has served as Director of Metromedia International Group, Big City Radio Inc., Above Net Inc., 20th Century Fox, CBS Fox Video, Magnetic Video, Sylvania, Motorola and Hallmark. He was a current Board member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.

Leonard was best known for his love of his family & friends, work ethics, being a man of his word and paying it forward. He volunteered much of his time and money to the Fire & Police departments, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Vests for K-9 Police dogs, Military functions, church causes and rescued a wolf at the Living Desert.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Joyce White. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Vicki and Judee; and 3 grandchildren, Heather Norton, Eric Batt and Anthony White.

A visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Mon, Dec 15, at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village. A funeral service will be held at 10am on Tues. Dec 16 at Saint Maximillian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake, with interment to follow in the Oak Knoll Mausoleum Court 13 at Pierce Brothers. In lieu of flowers, the family would like all donations to go to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Desert, Ca.

The family would like to make a special thanks of gratitude to Mama Gina's Restaurante and LG's for becoming his home away from home for a good meal with family & friends. Also a special thanks to Father Howard Lincoln for assisting him with a reunion in heaven with his wife Joyce of 54yrs.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ventura County Star from Dec. 12 to Dec. 15, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Leonard White

12 Entries

Bradford Barrett

February 9, 2022

I was thinking of Len just today and learned of his passing so many years late. I suppose in Heaven time is irrelevant so Len would appreciate my taking a moment to remember him regardless of when. I met Len while at Orion Pictures in the early 1990´s after he and his wife Joyce moved to CA and settled in Malibu. He was so proud of the home remodeling and living "the dream." Len treated me like a relative at work, he would take my calls directly without an issue. Always willing to chat, Len was an engaging and humble person and a wonderful man to know and work for as a CEO. I remember him once telling me that after Malibu, the two other retirement locations he´d really like were the Palm Desert area and Carmel. I understand now Len found a wonderful desert oasis. He deserved it. I´m happy to have this opportunity to share my personal thoughts about this true gentleman, I haven´t had a boss like him since. God bless Len, no one better.

Michele Kyriazis (Fendrich)

December 20, 2014

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of this great man. He, along with Larry Hilford and Joe Annechino really made an impact on me and inspired me. Len was so approachable, honest and just had a huge heart. I miss my days with Orion Pictures, and have retained contact with many friends. I'm glad Len is being reunited with his lovely wife. God Speed.

Kari Difani

December 18, 2014

I'm saddened to hear of Len Whites' passing. He was a very well respected professional who was an intensely loyal man to those close to him. I had the pleasure of working with Len at 20th Century Fox and Orion. I propose a toast in his memory with his favorite Pouilly- Fuisse wine. My heartfelt Condolences to his family.

Janice Whiffen

December 17, 2014

A pillar in the video industry and one classy guy. My condolences to the family.

Shelley Gritz

December 17, 2014

My sincere condolences. Len was a gentlemen and a man of honor. I had the pleasure working for him at Fox and Orion. Rest in peace.

Bob Johnson

December 16, 2014

I first met Len when he was hired by 20th Century Fox, in the early 80's, to head the sales division of their newly acquired Home Video Division, Magnetic Video Corp based in Farmington Hills, MI. I continued working for him thru their corp. metamorphosis' to Fox Video, CBS/Fox Video, 20th Century Fox Home Video, Fox Home Entertainment, etc etc, as well as following the corporate Headquarters trail from Farmington Hills to 1211 Ave of the America's, Manhattan and ultimately to LA. In all those incarnations, promotions, re-locations, corporate mergers, etc, etc, etc, you could always count on Len to be honest, fair, caring, compassionate and a just plain nice guy. For a man involved in sales for a majority his professional life, Len never became a prototypical "Salesman" (well, except for his early taste in "polyester suits"). Len LOVED his job, respected his position as a leader, took seriously his responsibility to mentor and treat us all as responsible adult representatives of the company. He was truly beloved by all who took the time to get to know the man behind the position. He never forgot where he came from, appreciated where he was and inspired us to create a better futures. My sincere condolences to his daughters and grandchildren who I am quite certain saw these things lived out in their world as they interacted with their dad/grandfather. Just know that those of us who were not a part of your biological family, but were lucky enough to share a professional world with him, share your loss, but we also saw the man you knew and deeply appreciated his contributions to our lives. Thanks for sharing him with us for this far too brief time. A toast Len, to a life well lived, you are appreciated and celebrated by those of us who were blessed that you were a part of our lives.

Tom McKeown

December 16, 2014

Sacred Heart Men's Club will miss him dearly. His membership was important to him and inspiring to us.

December 16, 2014

Len was a good man. He was very devoted to his wife and family. He felt honored to sponsor the Marines who participated in the Mike Pollom tournament. His generosity has made a difference.

December 15, 2014

Len & his wife Joyce were Special Friends. Big backers of THe Mike Pollom Memorial Scholarship Fund that provides College Scholarships for deserving & needy Coachella Valley High School Students. We salute him for that and we will miss our many meals with him at Mama Gina,s & other valley resturants. Loved Len. We miss him now & foreever as we did his wife Joyce. God Bless & Rest in Peace Len. Bonnie & Norm Pollom

Marsha Haygood

December 13, 2014

I worked with and for Len at Orion Pictures many years ago. He was a good man and great boss. My condolences to his family.

Gordon Cadd

December 12, 2014

I worked for Orion for many years and Len was always a friendly and wonderful person.

Wanda Clark

December 12, 2014

Though most of us had recently been informed of the seriousness of Len's health issues, it is still a very sad thing to read this obituary. I was Len's secretary for some years at the Los Angeles office of Orion Pictures. It was a long and happy association and one of the lovely things I recall was his total devotion to his beautiful wife, Joyce and his family. My sincere condolence to his family. We can take comfort in knowing Len is in a better place and with his Joyce and is no longer suffering.

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