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Leamon Whiteford Obituary
He was born and raised on a farm in Russell, N.Y. After graduating from high school, he signed up for the Coast Guard, where he acquired his nickname Whitey. He was stationed at Avery Point in New London for his entire four years and met his life-long sweetheart, Donna, at the local roller-skating rink. They were married in 1959.
While raising two daughters, Leigh and Lynn, he spent his career driving and later supervising for UPS.
He is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and five brothers: William, Donald, David, Doug and Fred. He is survived by daughters, Leigh Munton (Allen) and Lynn; four grandchildren: Ashleigh Munton, Naomi Munton (Jon Rivera), Allen Munton Jr. (Mackenzie) and Ruth Munton Foltz (Kyle). He is also survived by his oldest brother, Robert; and younger sister Connie, their spouses and many nieces and nephews.
Whitey was a humble man who promised God, at a young age, to follow Him in all his endeavors and live according to God's Word with his actions and in every area of his life. He was an active member of Huntington Street Baptist Church, serving as deacon and trustee, as well as teaching Sunday school and Awanas. He was always active, starting with fake wrestling in the Coast Guard with his buddies and being asked to "come play" with neighborhood kids. He also played volleyball, basketball, bowling, and softball, where he earned another nickname, "Iron Man." His third and favorite nickname was given by his daughters' New Life Singer friend, "Twinkle Eyes." Later on, he was a greeter and usher at Waterford Baptist and eventually a full-time caretaker for his wife, Donna, while she battled dementia.
Calling hours will be held between 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand Street, Niantic. Memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Groton Heights Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Anchor of Hope Pregnancy Support Center, 492 Montauk Avenue, New London, CT 06320 (www.anchorofhopect.org).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Leamon Whiteford
Sponsored by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home - New London.
Cindy Renzoni Clemens
October 9, 2025
Whitey was a wonderful, joyful man who blessed my siblings, my cousins, and myself throughout our childhood by being a faithful servant of Jesus Christ . He was our Sunday school teacher and Awana leader, always ready with a sincere smile and caring attitude. I can only imagine the treasure awaiting him in heaven.
Linda Renzoni Flynn
October 8, 2025
Dear Leigh and Lynn,
I rejoice with you that your precious dad has passed from death to life! Parting is such sweet sorrow,and I know you will miss him terribly; but how wonderful that we who follow Jesus, do not grieve as those with no hope. I think of Whitey´s great big smile and twinkling eyes. He was someone I admired as a teenager at HSBC, and I remember, my brother, Charlie saying if he didn´t have our wonderful father as his dad, he would´ve loved to have had yours!! It was wonderful to be in his presence again in his later years at GHBC. He always made me feel special!
Kathleen Munton
September 27, 2025
Leigh and family, so very sorry for your loss.
Bob and Sue Doyle
September 26, 2025
Leigh and Lynn.
We always enjoyed seeing your Dad at church. He was a sweet Godly man. We are so glad we got to know him through church. Sending our prayers for comfort. Bob and Sue Doyle
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Terry Chapman
September 25, 2025
Dear Lynn and family. My deepest condolence for your loss. I will always cherish the wonderful memories you have shared.
Rachel (Abrams) Olson
September 25, 2025
Whitey was a ray of sunshine and someone you always loved seeing! He gave great hugs and his smiles and encouragement were priceless! His quiet demeanor belied the amazing strength of his character and fortitude. It´s been many years since seeing him but all my memories seem like yesterday. You will be sorely missed, my friend, but being reunited with your lovely wife and our mighty Lord is the BEST beginning of eternity!
Dawn
September 25, 2025
Leigh and Lynn, we´ve known each other all our lives and your dad was my second dad! I know how much you will miss him and so will I! Whitey, you were such an amazing influence in my life and I will carry that through forever! I hope you, Donna and my parents are having a great time being together again. I love and miss you! Thank you for being you
Sloan Leonard
September 24, 2025
Praise be to God that Whitey was an inspiration to my walk with God and always made sure to look out for our family, he was a source of wisdom and God's grace and living for Him and was like a Grandfather to me and my Fathers best friend. I dont know what God would've done without Whitey being introduced to my life and Him and his akily treating mine and I as one of them and their very own. I remember Whitey lifting things so heavy my Dad was impressed with how much that man could lift at his age. I remember him letting me use his tractor and trusted me to help Him with yard work over the years. He always made sure my nose was cleaned and greeted everyone with a smile. I'm proud to say I loved Whitey like a Grandpa and respected him and I know I will see Him in Heaven one day with the LORD. On behalf of the Leonard's we will miss Whitey dearly and await the day we can see Him again. The Leonard's stand behind His family. Let our two family's treasure the memories we share together of Him and what a wonderful Guy he's been in our lives. I know he will be missed.
Elizabeth and Bill Gabler
September 23, 2025
Dear Leigh and Lynn,
My heart is with you as you walk through this time of loss and hope. Treasure the memories.
Your dad was strength, integrity, compassion, toughness, gentleness, fun, and so much more all rolled up into one amazing man who watched out for us kids. He taught us so much about not just softball and volleyball, but about being kind and true and sharing our faith and standing for what was right. He lived out his faith in Jesus with consistency. He watched out for us when we struggled and let us know doing what was right was worth it. You will continue to miss him and your mom. Hang on to the good knowing that they are in the best place ever, fully alive and whole. Love yous.
Judy Abrams
September 23, 2025
Dear Lynn, Leigh and family,
I'm so sorry your dad has left this earth, but rejoicing he's with his Lord and your mom, both now whole and healed. Whitey was such a powerful, yet gentle, force in our lives. We've loved him for many years,. Even when I last saw him at Fanny Daniel's funeral, I still hugged him and called him "Iron Man"!! May his legacy of love, laughter and faithfulness carry on in all of you. He was truly a remarkable man.
Kimberly Green Sanders
September 23, 2025
My condolences to the Whiteford family: I had the pleasure of knowing Mr.Whiteford and his late wife Donna when I was a young girl attending Huntington Baptist Church and the Awana program. Please take comfort in knowing how he and his wife touched many lives in such a Christ like way.
Dawnia Lumadue-Parisek
September 23, 2025
Leigh and family, I remember your Dad as our UPS driver on State St. in New London. He was the best. I remember you from Church and Awana's. May God bring you Peace at this time.
Dawnia Lumadue-Parisek
Trudy
September 22, 2025
I love him so much! He touched my life in so many different aspects. I loved his gentle ways and the genuine way he shared his wisdom! The world has lost one of the best. Heaven has gained a true angel!
Della Schimmel
September 22, 2025
Rest in peace Whitey, and say hello to my husband Ray.
Linda and Cortland Bryant
September 20, 2025
To Lynn and Leigh I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing, he was a good man. May the God of all comfort be with you as you grieve his passing.
Dave Fairman
September 20, 2025
Rest in Peace Whitey, remembering the years on the basketball court
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