Jimmy Whitaker of Waynesboro, Tennessee

September 9, 1936 - January 27, 2023

My name is Phyllis Stephens and I am Jim’s daughter. On behalf of myself and my sister Margie Barthel & our mother JoAnn Whitaker, I want to thank you all for prayers as we formally say goodbye to our father. Each of you were special to Dad in one way or another.

Our father was born Jimmy Lee Whitaker on September 9th, 1936 to my grandparents, Claude and Lena. He has 3 sisters, Dorothy Bouhaben, Betty Clay & Peggy Kinslow, 3 brothers, Phillip Whitaker & (proceeded in death) Irvan Whitaker & Donnie Whitaker. He spent his childhood in California, where he made some lifelong friends. At the age of 22, he met our mother, JoAnn Wagener, while she was visiting her sister Jeanie. The two married on September 8th, 1959, just 1 day before his 23 ^rd birthday and they made their home in Cantua Creek in California.

Preceded in death were, his parents Claude and Lena Whitaker, 2 brothers, Irvan Whitaker & Donny Whitaker and a granddaughter Shonna Lynn.

Mom was the love of Dad’s life. They were married for 63 years. Margie and I were born just 15 months apart. Our parents were still very young when we came around. They also raised their great granddaughter, Danielle Lynn.

Some of our fondest memories were of dad racing motorcycles in the Kettleman Hills, even getting a few trophies. Camping trips when we were young. Dad teaching us to drive a stick shift. Taught Margie how to climb hills on the motorcycle. Dad also enjoyed raising birds.

Dad worked as a mechanic on Airway Farms in Huron, Ca. when we were very young. He did mechanic work for many years at S&W in Coalinga, Ca... When we were a little older, he worked for Stroms briefly as a field worker driving a bean picker in Oregon. Then one of the best pipe welders around in Coalinga, Ca... He finally retired as a welder at the age of 84 from Wayne County Rock in Waynesboro, Tn.

Then grandbabies started coming, he was a grandpa to David, Denise, TJ, Michael, Natasha, Vanessa, Hali, & (preceded in death) Shonna, many great grandchildren & 2 great great grandchildren.

They moved to Tennessee in 1996. They made their home in Waynesboro, Tn...

Dad was known as Mr. Jim. He was known as one of the best welders around in the area.

So, thank you all once more for helping us to say goodbye to our loving father. He will be greatly missed.