Dwight Metcalf

Dwight D. “Whitey” Metcalf, age 76, died on August 3, 2021, following a prolonged illness.

Whitey was born in Ogden, UT, in 1945 to Lloyd and Hazel (Evans) Metcalf. For a time, the family lived in Gunnison, CO, before settling in Montrose, CO. Whitey graduated from Montrose High School in 1963.

He was drafted into the army in 1965 and sent to Vietnam, where he served his country in the armored cavalry in the Black Horse Battalion.

After he returned to the United States, he decided to take a solo trip across North America. He rode a ten-speed bicycle from the Pacific Northwest, across Canada, to Maine. During that trip, Whitey dedicated his life to the Lord.

In 1974, he worked on a cattle ranch outside of Gunnison where he met the loves of his life. Whitey and Betty married in October 1975. He also became a dad that day to three little girls who loved him dearly.

Whitey and his girls moved to Powderhorn, CO, where they raised cattle for 25 years. Upon selling the ranch in 2000, Whitey and Betty moved to Olathe, CO. A few years later they moved to Montrose, CO where they were surrounded by friends and family.

He was a gifted woodworker and carpenter, creating beautiful projects like desks and hope chests for his daughters. He also restored furniture for friends. He remodeled the houses in Powderhorn and Olathe and built log houses in Lake City. He also built the balcony on the Hinsdale County Museum, in addition to other projects throughout Lake City.

Whitey was happiest when in the mountains, sitting around a campfire, singing and playing the guitar, or fly fishing in a beaver pond. He was a dedicated Christian, family man, and friend. He loved to joke and tease.

Preceding him in death are his father and mother, his brother Kurt (Charlotte) Metcalf, and an infant sister, Hazel Irene.

Whitey is survived by his wife, Betty, daughters Melanie (Michael) Cyphers, Melissa (Greg) Tarantino, and Elizabeth (Thomas) Ruthmansdorfer, siblings: Hugh (Joanne) Metcalf, Melba Teague, Nancye Edmondson, Leslye (Larry) Coleman-Swain, Lane (Yvonne) Metcalf, Douglas (Janet) Metcalf, and Greg Metcalf. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces, eight grandchildren: Kyra (Jake) Green, Mariah (Matt) Harbert, Ty (Kelli) Cyphers, Mckenna Cyphers, Samantha (Glen) Lester, Gage Tarantino, Denis Ruthmansdorfer, and Aaron Ruthmansdorfer, and one brand-new great granddaughter, Blakely Harbert.

The family would like to invite anyone who knew and loved Whitey to come celebrate his life on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 10:00 AM at Crossroads Victory Church, 515 S. Hillcrest Drive, Montrose, CO.  The event will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/crossroadsvictory/.  Interment will be at a later date at the Gunnison Cemetery.

Please consider making a memorial contribution in Whitey’s name to HopeWestCO.org.