Donald Murray Whitley Jr.

Don was born to Donald Murray Whitley, Sr. and Oleta Robinson Whitley, January 5, 1940, in Houston, TX.  He graduated from Milby High School in 1957 and attended the University of Texas for 3 years.  He married Linda Whitley in 1991, and they lived together in Pearland, TX. Don had 2 children, Kimberly Smith and Kelly Whitley, and one stepdaughter Staci Stark and husband Rick.

He is survived by his loving wife Linda Whitley and children.  He also leaves to cherish his memory 5 grandchildren, Zachary Whitley and wife Martha, Abbey Whitley, Allison Whitley, Derek Ballek and wife Heidi, Ashley Cullar and husband Brian.  4 great grandchildren, Tirzah, Silas, Gideon and Walker.  Sister-in-Law, Diana Gordon and husband Ron, nephews Roger Whitehead and wife Pam, Lee Whitehead and wife Diane, Graham Whitley and wife Brittni and niece, Sarah Towler and husband David Duval (DD) and cousins Joyce Crettol, Mike, Tommy, Gary Bennett and Janelle Rabon.

He was preceded in death by Donald Murray Whitley, Sr., (Father), Oleta Whitley, (Mother), Diane Carey, (Sister), and Craig Whitley, (Brother).

Don worked as a millwright for Diamond Alkali (which later became Occidental Chemical Corporation) from 1963 until he retired in January 2002. He enjoyed traveling the world with Linda.  They visited over 50 countries on 6 continents, all but a few states and a few multiple times. They had to cancel travel plans to Antarctica when Covid 19 broke out.  His favorite place to visit was East Africa during the great migration of the wildebeest and trying to climb the Virunga Mountains.  He was carried up by natives to see the mountain gorillas. Don also had a passion for cars, especially the classics.  He was in his element turning a wrench under the hood. He was also actively involved with the Associated Credit Union of Texas on the board of directors for over 40 years.

A memorial service is scheduled for September 28, 2024, at 11:00 am, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale, Houston, TX 77023. A reception will follow the service. Various family members will officiate the ceremony.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation at https://www.kidney.org. Special thanks go out to Fred Noeth, Rick Noeth, Anna Wallace and Dau Chou.