Obituary of Matthew Odis White, Sr.

Matthew Odis White, Sr. 76, died on February 17, 2023 at home after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born on October 26, 1946 in La Junta, CO, to Matthew F. White and Cletus Viola White. 

The family lived in La Junta, CO, Trinidad, CO and then La Junta again as Matt grew up. He participated in Boy Scouts, earning their two most prestigious awards: the God and Country Award in 1960; the Eagle Scout Award in 1962.  He graduated from La Junta High School in 1964 and immediately enlisted in the Air Force.  He served from 1964 to 1968. 

In 1969 he moved to Greeley.  He married Kay Kelso on June 26, 1971 in Denver and they made their home in Greeley.  In 1973 he joined the Colorado State Patrol.  His first duty station was Byers, CO where their three children were born:  Shelley Anne White, Melissa Lynn White and Matthew Odis White, Jr.  In 1988 they moved back to Greeley when he was promoted to Sergeant with the State Patrol.  He retired from the State Patrol in 2000 after 27 years. He then worked for Allnutt Funeral Service for 10 years followed by 5 years working for CTS, a Commercial Defensive Driving School teaching defensive driving all over the United States.  He retired at the end of 2014.  He received his private pilot license in 1995 and purchased a Cessna airplane for a lot of family fun.  He and his family always enjoyed camping, fishing, travelling and he and Kay also enjoyed cruising. 

Matt joined the American Legion Post 18 in Greeley in 2009 and maintained an active role in the American Legion-sponsored Boys State program.  He was also a member of the CSPA, the State Patrol retired members association and the AFTAC Alumni Association, members of his job group from the Air Force.  He was proud of his Native American heritage maintaining his membership in the Oklahoma Cherokee tribe. 

He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughters Shelley (Scott) Welch, Melissa Winter and a son, Matthew “Matt” White, Jr.  and eight grandchildren, with his first great-grandson expected in March. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Shirley Jean White. 

The family would like to thank the wonderful people of Pathways Hospice, especially Christine and Shelly who made this transition easier. 

Matt’s Life Celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 24, 2023 at Adamson Life Celebration Home with a reception to follow.  Memorial gifts may be made to “rescueme.org”, the wonderful organization where Matt got his beloved Maltese, Molly.  Condolences may be shared at AdamsonCares.com.