Hubert L. "Whitey" Shoffner, Jr.
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Death Notice - August 28, 2016
Hubert “Whitey” Shoffner, 86, Grand Junction, died Aug. 23, 2016, at Colorado Canyons Hospital in Fruita. Services will be held at a later date. He was an auto mechanic. He is survived by one sister, Mary Ellen Sarten of Grand Junction. Memorial contributions to Wreaths Across America, 616 Lodgepole St., Grand Junction 81504; or to C.L.A.W.S. Cat Rescue and Adoption Center, 2214 Sanford Drive, Grand Junction 81505.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3 D Obituary - September 4, 2016
Whitey Shoffner, 86, of Grand Junction passed away August 23, 2016, from complications after hip surgery. He was born in Fort Collins, CO to Hubert L. and Orpha Watts Shoffner and gained his nickname as a boy because of his white hair. The family settled in Grand Junction where Whitey attended school and graduated from Grand Junction High School. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, where he served on the front lines in Korea. He was very proud of his service as a soldier. Whitey was an auto mechanic and a drag racer where he earned his nickname of "Big Daddy". As part of a group of legendary racers, he worked to build and open the Midway Drag Strip on Whitewater Hill in 1968. He was as well known for the yellow English Anglia that he raced at the track as he was for his bright yellow Ford Bronco and pickup that he proudly drove around town starting in the late 70’s, usually with his elbow out the window and a cigar in his mouth. Whitey had a deep knowledge of the history of Colorado’s mining towns. He continued learning and exploring on the alpine four-wheel drive trails with the help of his handy GPS. Whitey’s family will honor his wishes to have his ashes spread in the San Juan Mountains, which he especially loved. He was an avid fisherman who spent countless hours with a fishing pole (and probably a cigar) in the peaceful surroundings of the Grand Mesa. Whitey is survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Sarten; his nephew, Rick (Peggy) Sarten; great-nephew, Ryan (Heather) Sarten and their children, Hannah and Riley of Houston, TX; his great-niece, Shauna (Justin) Nordine and their children, Mallory and Greyson of Grand Junction; his sister, Barbara (Don) Johnson of Lebanon, MO, and their sons, Daniel (Kristy) Johnson and Tim (Bambi) Johnson. Whitey is survived by a son, Laverne (Doris) Downey of Fruita, CO, and a daughter, Linda Brackelsberg of Grand Junction. He also had five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorial contributions to Wreaths Across America, 616 Lodgepole St., Grand Junction, 81504; or C.L.A.W.S. Cat Rescue and Adoption Center, 2214 Sanford Dr., Grand Junction, 81505.
