Richard Whitten Wise

Born December 30th,1946 in Dothan, Alabama, Whit passed on Friday, January 12th at home in Pensacola at 77 years. He was raised in Century and Pensacola, graduated from Escambia High School and West Point Military Academy. He served proudly as a Tank Driver, Military Police, and Army Ranger. Whit built Pensacola Athletic Center and was an Escambia County Schools teacher, administrator, nearly superintendent, and substitute. He was a tennis and triathlon enthusiast who undoubtedly regrets not getting to compete in the next age group up. A lover of games, Whit played cards with friends his entire life, took the belt home many times, and was the proud creator of 2-Man Hearts. He delighted in bringing joy, inventing silly games, writing and acting in ridiculous skits, prevailing occasionally at Jenga, and yet was always a sore loser at Scrabble. He grew old but never grew up.

Whit is survived by a plethora of friends, his three younger sisters, Marilon Killam (Elton), Lane Anderson (Walker), and Jena Mead (PJ and Patrick), his brother, Matt Wise (and Marylona), his children and their spouses M. Whit Wise (Leslie Sisco), Jena Marie (Robert Bassett), Russell (Jill Moon), and Amie Birk, his beloved ex-wife, Nancy Norman, as well as his nine grandchildren whom he adored: Alton, Evans & Eleanor Wise, Roman, Reid & Ruby Bassett, and Raleigh, Nell & Jack Wise.

A Visitation will be held Thursday, January 25th at Oak Lawn Funeral Home 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Funeral at Barrancas National Cemetery 1:00 pm (departure from Oak Lawn 12:30 pm), and Celebration of Life at 5Eleven Palafox 2:30-4:30pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to an education fund for Amie Birk by searching for Whit Wise on gofundme.com.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Wise family.