Richard Carroll Whitaker

Richard C. Whitaker Sr., 87, of Baytown, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Richard was born in Harrison, Arkansas on April 29, 1938, to E.G. Whitaker Jr., and Myrtle Whitaker. They later moved to Texarkana, Arkansas where he grew up. He was affectionately known as “Dickie” to all of his schoolmates, relatives and friends.

Richard went to work for General Telephone, which later became GTE, in 1957. He started out as a lineman and worked his way up through the company and became a central office supervisor and retired as the Director of Network Operations for Texas and New Mexico for Verizon after 50 years of service. He was admired by all of his coworkers for his work ethic and leadership.

Richard was known by many in Baytown as their favorite telephone repairman. He loved his work, and he loved people.

Richard could fix or invent anything. He repaired countless lawn mowers, refrigerators, washing machines, cars and anything else anyone brought him. He was a very generous man and loved serving and helping others.

In the early 1960s, his job brought him to Baytown, Texas where he would meet the beautiful girl he would spend the rest of his life with, Wanda Fulton. He married Wanda on January 25, 1963. They had four children and 9 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren in their 62 years of marriage. Mom and Dad cherished each other and everyone knew it.

Richard was a faithful member of Cedar Bayou Baptist Church and served in many capacities while always offering a warm smile, handshake, or a hug.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, mother, and his grandson, Zachary Whitaker. He is survived by his loving wife Wanda, children Richard Whitaker, Jr. and wife Ashley, Teri Rolin, Chris Whitaker and wife Lisa, and Tiffany Odom and husband Danny, grandchildren Ryan Jordan and wife Christa, Drew Whitaker, Sara Ralls and husband Bryan, Blake Odom, Kaitlyn Rolin, Kaylee Odom, Carleigh Whitaker and Lauren Whitaker, and great-grandchildren Brinley, Liam, Lane, Bryson and Audrey. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Dorothy Dugger and Betty Franta and husband Charlie and his best friend Donnie Herrington.

A visitation will be held on July 2, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Cedar Bayou Baptist Church, located at 3116 N. Alexander Drive, Baytown, Texas, 77520.

A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 am at the same venue.

Followed by a graveside service at Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery, located at 8624 Garth Road, Baytown, Texas, 77521.