Alvin Howard Whitehead

He was born in Broken Bow Oklahoma on April 21, 1933 to the late AC Whitehead and Dora Lee Whitehead (Burkes) and came to California with his family in 1940 in a 1931 Model A Ford with a mattress on top. After drifting around the valley for a number of years, they settled in Keyes in 1947 where Alvin enrolled in Ceres High School. Alvin thought work seemed better than school, so he left after a few weeks, started working and never looked back.

Alvin served in the Army in Korea as a Sea Bee and was honorably discharged in 1955. He built fine residential homes all up and down the west coast from the Fresno area to Seattle. When Alvin passed away, he was living in a home that he built with his own hands. Alvin loved to use his skills for the Kingdom of Heaven as he built and remodeled a number of churches, the first of which was the Keyes Assembly of God in 1947 where he and his father were among the first salvations in the new facility at their grand opening.

A devout Christian and family man, Alvin was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mada Jean West whom he married in 1953 and they birthed and raise Linda Gail(Boles), Mark Aaron Whitehead, and Wade Allen Whitehead. Along with their three children, Alvin has eleven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and two on the way. After raising their family in San Jose, they relocated back to the valley, where Alvin spent the remainder of his days in Hughson.

Alvin has been a devoted member of Victory Assembly of God Ceres (formerly Northridge) since 1999 and served this church with his carpentry and music skills as well as serving as a deacon and Sunday school Superintendant.

Alvin loved to fish and camp with his family, but one of his favorite things in life was his music. He was an accomplished guitarist and vocalist, using his gift of music in churches all around the valley.

A viewing will be held at Lakewood Memorial Chapel 900 Santa Fe Ave. Hughson, CA 95326 on Friday, Aug 23, between 4-8 p.m.

Alvin’s memorial service is Saturday, 1 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God, 1960 E. Hatch Road, Ceres, CA 95307