David Lee Melaas (Whitey), age 79, of Tripoli, Wis., passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022, after a short illness. He was born on May 2, 1942, in Sparta, Wis., to the late Wilbur and Helen (Jorgenson) Melaas.
David was raised on a farm in Big Creek, Wis., near Sparta with his parents and a sister. He graduated from Bangor High School. On Jan. 15, 1963, David joined the Navy, where his first nine weeks were in boot camp and the next four weeks were at the Surface Warfare Engineering School Command (SWESC), located at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill. His first station was Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines the first week of Aug. 1963, until the end of Feb. 1965, a full 18 months. He then came home for 30 days on leave. When he went back, he went aboard the USS Koiner (DE-331). By Aug. 1965, they went to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and back to the Philippines. Having been there for six months prior, it was just like coming home. The ship was in and out for the next four months. David went to many places, including Hong Kong, Bangkok, Manila, and back and forth to Subic and Vietnam. He spent 13 months off the coast of Vietnam, as well as six months in Guam, then back to the States. He was discharged on Dec. 29, 1966.
David moved to Oconomowoc, Wis., where he began employment at Waukesha Motors, retiring in 2000. He later moved to his cabin in the woods near Tripoli, where his life was spent with his many friends and enjoying the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. David was a lifetime member of the Prentice VFW, the NRA, and the WMLA.
Surviving is his sister Janice Knutson of Rockland; Wis., his nephew Glenn Knutson, wife Patricia, children Jill Knutson, husband Dan Slama, son Braden; Ashley Knutson, daughter Kaia (Cody Miles), son Peyton; Cody Knutson, wife Selina, children Jeara, Raylan, and Brailey; great-nephew Michael Knutson, wife Melissa, children Addilyn and Beau.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Helen; his brother-in-law, Ole Knutson; his niece, Jeanie Cote; and his nephew, Scott Knutson.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to a wonderful friend, Travis Behnke, who helped David in his final days.
A memorial gathering will be held at a later date in Tripoli.
Generations Funeral Home & Crematory, Tomahawk, is assisting the family. You may view David’s obituary and leave online condolences at www.generationsfuneral.com.