Jimmy Lee Whitaker, age 86, a resident of Waynesboro, TN, passed away Friday morning, January 27, 2023, at North Alabama Medical Center .
Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. He will be buried in Lawrenceburg Memorial Gardens.
Born on September 9, 1936, in Modesto, California, Jim was the son of the late Claude and Lena Whitaker.
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. Jim was an honest, hardworking man. He finally retired as a welder at the age of 84 from Wayne County Rock in Waynesboro, Tn.
He enjoyed raising birds, some of our fondest memories were of him 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.
Above all, he loved his family.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, JoAnn Whitaker; two children, Phyllis (Doug) Stephens of Lawrenceburg, TN & Margie Barthel of Waynesboro, TN; a great-granddaughter they raised, Danielle Lynn of Waynesboro, TN; grandchildren, David, Denise, TJ, Michael, Natasha, Vanessa, Hali; many great-grandchildren; & two great-great-grandchildren. He has three sisters, Dorothy Bouhaben, Betty Clay & Peggy Kinslow; one brother, Phillip Whitaker.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Claude and Lena Whitaker; two brothers, Irvan Whitaker & Donny Whitaker; and a granddaughter, Shonna Lynn.
So, thank you all for helping us to say goodbye to our loving father. He will be greatly missed.
