Danno Lee White

1952 - 2025

Helena, Montana - Danno Lee White died peacefully early Veteran's Day with his beloved wife holding his hand as his heart slowly quit working. Jesus took Danno's hand from Becky and took Danno home with him.

Danno was born Dec. 6, 1952, in the old Memorial Hospital in Sedro-Woolley. He was the only son of Marvin and A. Lois White. An older sister, Karen, completed their family. He was a third-generation graduate of Sedro-Woolley High School. He was proud that his sons and grandchildren graduated from SWHS also making it five generations of SWHS graduates.

Danno went from graduation into the Air Force as his draft number was 6 and he didn't want to go into the Army. He was a Security Patrolman when he volunteered for Special Forces to become one of the first Air Force Elite Forces in Combat Security Police. He ended up in Vietnam where his base was 20 miles from the Ho Chi Minh Trail on a short-term mission. He returned to Security Police where he also was a Customs Agent in Okinawa. He also volunteered to assist with the Vietnam Baby Lift. The plane's landing gear was hit by a missile that Danno missed in Da Nang and the plane bellylanded in foam in the Philippines. He later worked with a young man at Boeing who was on that plane, and they had a special forever bond. Danno ended his Air Force Career in Explosive Ordinance Disposal where he received a medical discharge.

Danno was a Renaissance Man: he could quote poetry, rebuilt engines at age of 8, raced snowmobiles and cars, built houses from the foundation up and raised cattle. He was always available to share his skills with his sons and their friends.

He met his beloved wife Becky while he was stationed at Mtn. Home AFB and they were married for over 52 wonderful adventure-filled years. They were blessed with three children, Dana and Craig, their two biological sons, and Tiffany, their daughter with different parents. Danno's greatest love beside his wife Becky was his grandchildren, his favorite hobby. He had no problem spoiling and loving them through to the end of his life here.

He had the gift of totally listening and paying attention to life. He loved to make you laugh. With Danno, you knew you were heard. He might not agree with you, but he would listen and make time to listen. Other people would see actions, but Danno saw their hearts.

At the same time, Danno never grew up. He was kicked out of K-Mart two different years for having too much fun. K-Mart had a bin of wind-up toys and Danno delighted in showing at least 15 children how to wind them up. He always said they were "just testing them". The parents were happy because their children were occupied while they were shopping but the manager not so much. The next year was "testing" the battery-operated toys to see if they worked with more children volunteers with the same result.

As expected, his jobs were varied: construction worker, long-haul trucker, electronic tech with Rothenbuhler Engineering in Sedro-Woolley where he repaired Talkie Tooters and did FCC Compliance Testing in a cow field and finished as an Avionics Engineer at Boeing. He was a problem solver-Boeing in Texas would call up Everett Boeing and just ask for Danno. While working full time, he and Becky raised cattle on the SO-acre ranch. The cattle were sold when it became too difficult with age and health.

The house and 6 acres were sold when his oldest son's wife died of brain cancer and he and Becky moved to Helena, Montana. They were back-up support for Dana and his children whenever needed. Danno still had time for other fun with his '67 Dodge Charger driving it whenever the roads would allow.

Camping and picnicking with children and friends was always a highlight for many years.

Hawaii became a favorite vacation place during springtime after the boys were older. Exploring, snorkeling and just relaxing gave them enough sunshine to make it through western Washington winters.

Danno had an honest relationship with God. He would yell at him but always bowed his head in prayer at mealtime. He and Becky prayed together every meal no matter who else was at the table or where they were. He would stop and pull Becky outside to see a rainbow, sunrise, sunset or moon as he held her. It was clear that as Becky held his right hand the last two hours of life that Jesus took his left hand and took him home to Heaven!

His parents preceded him in death as did his stepmother Joan White, his stepfather Clyde Baker, his stepbrother, Bernie Baker, his brother-in law, Jimmy Stevens, and his brother-in-law Paul Ridley. He is survived by his cherished wife, Becky, their sons Dana White and Craig White and daughter Tiffany Pauley, daughter-in-law, Naomi White, son-in-law, Bryan Pauley, grandchildren Ashley Carpenter, Demetrius White, Kenzie White, Kitieri White, Katy (Cassandra) Hinrichs, Kimberly Kendall, Amanda Kendall, Jay Pauley and Ryan Pauley. Also surviving him is his sister, Karen Ridley, his stepsister, Kathie Baker and his stepbrother, Michael Baker.

There will be a Memorial Celebration next spring during Skagit County Dirt Cup weekend at the barn. Details to follow. Memorials: please donate to your local food bank or to Angel Fund, P.O. Box 7436, Helena, Montana 59604.

He will be forever loved and missed but we'll see him again in Heaven!

Condolences can be shared at www.aswfuneralhome.com in Danno's memory.