Harold Lee White, age 85, of White Wood Lane, Morehead, well-known businessman and community leader, passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at his home.

Born June 22, 1928, on Holly Fork in Rowan County, he was a son of the late Ray Lee and Ethel Mae Hall White. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Rebecca White Carter and Ruth Smith; two brothers, Eugene Fortune White and R. Victor White; one granddaughter, Dixie Ann White; and two great granddaughters, Bonnie Suzanne and Sophia Elizabeth Keating.

Harold is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Leslie White, whom he wed September 1, 1950; five children: Richard Lee (Valerie) White, Michael Todd (Doris) White, Janet White (Larry) Dacci, Ray Delmar (Marisa) White, and H. Lee II (Tonya) White, all of Morehead; 14 grandchildren: Jason, Betsy, Suzanna Morgan, Emily, Taylor, Andrew, Larry Jr., Stella, Laura, Maria, Ray Jr., Sawyer, Spencer, and Slade; and four great grandchildren: Walker, Jaxon, Jed, and Braxton.

Other survivors include his sister, Aileen Moore of Vanceburg; two special longtime coworkers and friends, Milton Hamilton and John "Bull" Bowling; numerous nieces and nephews; extended family; and friends.

A graduate of Rowan County High School, Harold attended MSU and graduated from National Hardwood School in Memphis in 1954. He was a member of First Baptist Church for 58 years where he also served as deacon and Sunday school teacher. In addition to founding Harold White Lumber Company and operating lumber companies for more than half a century, he was actively involved in community and professional organizations. He was a founding member of the KY Forestry Industry Association, served on the board of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, was a former board member of Clark County Bank, a KY charter member of the World Trade Center for Economic Development, and a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner. His success in business endeavors, as well as his service to others, has been recognized by various organizations. He was selected as the U.S. Small Business Exporter of the Year in the 1980's, the White Conference Room in the Combs Building at MSU was named in his honor by the College of Business, and the U.S. Senate paid tribute to him in the Congressional Record, May 26, 1993, for his work ethic and service to others.

Mr. White proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Despite these achievements, his greatest legacy is his children and grandchildren and the compassion and generosity he showed to all living creatures.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2014, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with Dr. Don Mantooth officiating. Granddaughters, Laura White Brown and Suzanna Morgan White will provide the eulogy and family reflections. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with military honors by Morehead American Legion Post 126. My Kentucky Hills, by Janis C. Ellis, will be read by granddaughter Maria White.

Grandchildren and great grandchildren will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Visitation is from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2014, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to STAR (Saving the Animals of Rowan), P. O. Box 454, Morehead, KY 40351 or Morehead First Baptist Church, 123 E. Main, Morehead, KY 40351..