LeRoy Gene Whitson

LeRoy Gene Whitson, 75, of Logandale, Nev. and Gary, Minn., died Aug. 27, 2015 at his home in Wildomar, Calif. surrounded by his family. Mr. Whitson was born June 16, 1940 to William and Donna (Thronson) Whitson in Mayville, N.D. His family farmed in Traill County, N.D. He attended school at Greenfield Country school until the eighth grade. He graduated from Thief River Falls High School in 1958. In 1961 he moved to Gary for work and also drove race cars for Harold Natwick. On Jan. 26, 1963 he married Jean Lynn Christensen at Gary Lutheran Church. They had four children, Karie, Blaine, Tamra and Billie, along with two of his nieces they raised up until 1975, Kim and Crystal Whitson. In 1980 the family moved to Moapa Valley, Nev. He was an elder at Calvary Community Church for many years where his family attended. He was known for his faith, kindness, and tenacity in praying for his family, those without family, and anyone in need. He supported too many missions and ministries to count, including those of his children. He worked for the Paul and Ron Lewis family in various trucking and supervisory positions until 2006 when he semi-retired. In 2005 LeRoy and Jean began sharing time between Nevada and California to spend time with the grandchildren and children. He began racing again with his son and granddaughter, Lindsay. He did so until three months before he died. In 2010 he began spending time back in Gary, enjoying seed time and harvest time, working with farmers and friends. Between the field work he visited many friends and relatives, bringing a cheerful smile, a kind word, and a prayer when needed wherever he went. He is survived by his wife Jean; a son, Blaine (Susan) Whitson, Temecula, Calif.; three daughters, Karie (Jeff) Kirschbaum, Gary, Tamra Williams and Billie (Marc) Baker, both of Wildomar, Calif.; Niece/Daughter, Kim Whitson Haas, of Fargo, N.D.; three brothers, Dayle Whitson, Floodwood, Minn., LeVerne (Mary) Whitson, Forest Hill, Md., and Merlin Whitson, Overton, Nev.; two sisters, Bonnie (Mike) Brewer and Vickie Kvasager, both of Grand Forks, N.D.; an aunt JeNelle Faldet, Erskine, Minn.; 12 grandchildren, Tawnie, Christina, Shelbi, Blaine, Lindsay, Annie, Chandler, Camden, Chloe, Landi, Jacob and Justus; four great-grandsons, Nathan, Zechariah, Holden and Hudson and a great-granddaughter, Mack­enzi; His honorary grandchildren, Zoe, Zion, Haven, Callie, and Josiah McKay and Tanesha and Sean Feduska. There are also many nieces, nephews and those children he adopted in his heart which are too many to name. He was preceded in death by a niece, Crystal Whitson. The funeral is Monday, Aug., 31 at England Family Mortuary in Temecula, Calif. Interment is in Larel Cemetery, Murrieta, Calif. Service: 27135 Madison Ave. Temecula, CA 992590 Monday, August 31, 2015