Whitney Joseph Eschete Jr.

to Whitney Joseph Eschete and Theresa Marie Theriot Eschete.

Whit was raised in the Cajun lifestyle, working everyday fishing to help support the family. He enlisted in the United States Navy

at age 17 and retired after 20 years of service at the rank of HM1. He was a Hospital Corpsman and X-ray technician. He served

in Vietnam, Cuba, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. During his service he received the Good Conduct Medal (three awards),

Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, RVN Armed Forces MUC, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba),

Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

After his military service, he went on to study as a radiology technician and was very proud of becoming an American Registered Radiology

Technologist and being an Instructor at Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville.

After retirement from Memorial Hospital, he spent time with his wife Pat and his best friend and canine companion, Buddy.

He is preceded in death by his parents and by his wife, Patricia Smith Eschete. He is survived by his brother Donald (JoAnn) Eschette, his son Roan (Kaci) Eschete, his stepchildren Patti (Paul) Landry, Pam (Brian) Kauer, and David Abercrombie. Grandchildren McGee and Kramer Eschete, Robby and Chris Hopkins, Macie Abercrombie, Rhianna Hurt, and great-grandchild Charleigh. Niece and nephew Kimberly Blair and Christopher Eschette.

Hardage-Giddens Edgewood Funeral Home, 729 S. Edgewood Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32205 (904) 388-2711 www.hardage-giddensedgewood.com