His parents were Lou Gladys (Pence) Roberts and Bill Roberts. He graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1958, and served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1961. While on leave in 1961, he married Sondra Kral on January 6. Upon his honorable discharge, he worked for the Kansas City Police Department from 1961 to 1988.
After he retired from the KCPD, he spent his time volunteering at the local VFW and American Legion, and owned his own bar and restaurant The Blue Saloon in Pleasant Valley, Missouri. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s athletic events and spending time together with his family on the holidays.
He is preceded in death by his siblings, George “Fib” Edward Whitaker Jr., Dick Whitaker, and Helen Anspaugh.
He is survived by his wife, Sondra Whitaker; His sisters-in-law, Sumi Whitaker and Fredia (Jerry) Price; Brothers-in-law Marvin Anspaugh and Bob Kral; His children, Kimberly (Mike) Skinner, Melissa (Jon) Jacobs, and Christopher (Jeanne) Whitaker; His grandchildren, Nick S., Jeremy, Justin, Chandler, Meredith, Nick C., Ian, Payton, Alli, and Ava; Three great-granddaughters and one great-grandson, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations for Neiman Pick Type C (NPC) be made to University of Notre Dame (Ara Parseghian Medical Research Fund), to honor his great-granddaughter Emerson.
https://giveto.nd.edu/campaigns/38042/donations/new?designation=araparseghianmedicalresearchfund
A visitation will take place on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 4-7 PM at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119. A funeral service will occur on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 10:30 AM, followed by a graveside in White Chapel Cemetery.
