Sending along a heartfelt message to the family . 

I knew Gary for most of my working career , I am in the retirement business and people like Gary were individuals I would call upon ,

My last meeting / visit with Gary was at his office and we talked family , business and most of all ping pong , not many I know can talk about ping pong . But Gary sure could and I learned a great deal about how deep and extensive that sport is for the seniors . 

Quite a man , really glad and proud to have known him .

May his memory be a blessing to all that he cared for .

R.I. P . Gary 

Mitchell Haber

I am so sorry to hear about Gary’s passing. I met Gary at Moorpark CC in 2018 and was fortunate enough to get to play with him pretty regularly for a few years. He was such a kind man. I enjoyed his company and competitive nature. We had some great times together.  He will be missed by all that were fortunate enough to have known him.  Rest in peace my friend!

I had the privilege of going on a mission trip to Israel with Gary and a group from Calvary Community Church and Oaks Christian back in 2008. While the entire trip was one for the books, one of my favorite memories to share involves Gary before we even left LAX. 

With such an obscenely long flight ahead of us, Gary wasted no time in taking a Benadryl to tackle the first few hours with some shuteye. However, unbeknownst to all of us, we would be detained in the plane for nearly two hours due to a suspicious, oversized bag. Coincidently, the bag ended up being one of ours, and it was filled with blankets and things for the kids we’d be serving in Israel. About two hours later, Gary woke up and asked us how far along we were. We really didn’t have the heart to tell him, but we had to. “Gary, we haven’t even left the airport yet.” Let’s just say he was less than thrilled. I still love to share that story with anyone who hasn’t heard it before. It sure set a hilarious tone for the rest of the trip! 

While I am sad to hear of Gary’s passing, and my heart goes out to his loving family, my heart also fills with joy knowing that Gary is now in the presence of our incredible Savior and Heavenly Father. Praise the Lord! 

I had the privilege of going to Israel on a mission trip with Gary and a group from Calvary and Oaks Christian back in 2008. One of my favorite moments with Gary occurred before our plane even left LAX. As soon as we boarded the plane, Gary wasted no time and purposely took Benadryl so he could sleep away a portion of this obscenely long flight. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to all of us, we’d be detained on the plane for nearly 2 hours because of a suspicious bag (which, funny enough, ended up being one of our bags filled with blankets for the children we’d be visiting in Israel). We all were less than pleased to be waiting this long in an airplane when we already had a very long international flight ahead of us. Gary started to wake up a bit after 2 hours, and he asked us how far we were. “Gary…we haven’t even taken off yet.” Let’s just say…he was less than thrilled. Easily one of the funniest moments of my life! I loved serving alongside him on that amazing trip and experiencing the Holy Land, literally walking where Jesus walked.  While I am sad to hear about Gary’s passing, and my heart goes out to his loving family, my heart also fills with joy knowing his faith has now been made sight, and he is with our beautiful Savior and Heavenly Father. 


I met Gary while we were both clerks at the Gelson’s in Encino. While that was years ago, I’ve always remembered Gary as a guy who was a pleasure to work with, and an accomplished ping-pong player. I was blessed to reconnect with Gary a few years ago when I saw him one Sunday at Calvary Community Church. I followed Gary’s health struggles as he shared them via his Facebook page. I was very saddened to learn of his passing. 

I take comfort in the knowledge, that we are assured of by Christ our savior himself, that Gary is very much alive celebrating his LORD in heaven, and that those who believe will see him again.

-Jeff Price 

Ellen & Family,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family for your loss. I am sadden by this sudden news , and pray for your family and healing hearts. He was a great person and we were blessed to know him all those years ago .
All our best ,
In Great Stmpathy,
Coni, Michael, Cydney & Elliot Goldman 

Ellen and Family, 
       We love you all and are praying for God’s peace to comfort you. The Good News message written in Gary’s obituary is all that we need. Thank you for sharing His promise of eternal life. We will all be together again. 

Linda and Mike Arnold 
   

Happiness is sometimes just a sound of a ping pong ball . that’s what comes to mind when I think of Gary . The first time I met Gary , Was at a friends house early 2021 and his name also happens to be Gary, turns out they were long time friends from back in college years . After some period of time I met Gary again at the table tennis club in Thousand Oaks ,and had the pleasure of playing and getting to know him a little more .Of course he was a very skilled and highly ranked player  , he had some crazy serves that I had the hardest time returning , and till the very last days still had some problems with , but the smile on his face every time he got me on a serve was priceless . Reminds me of a joke I heard long time ago , (my ping pong opponent was not happy with my servers ,so he kept returning it )
Well ,I guess I was really happy with his serves .

Shortly after I was invited to play at Gary’s house , at his beautiful table tennis room that he had built , with the nice flooring that only the professionals play at tournaments . 
In the beginning I was just filing in from time to time.
But after a while I 
Slowly but surely became a regular .  I wish we had more time to play and practice returning your serves . I’m sure your smiling right now and thinking ( those are my serves and I’m taking them with me ) 
I just want to say what an honer it has been to have met Gary and his beautiful family ,and to be invited to his home was even more special . 
By the way my name is Ros B , I found it interesting that I have two friend that are very good table tennis players named Gary . And I Ros ,B  played with Ross,H at Gary’s house .
How ironic ! So thank you Gary for welcoming me in to your ping pong palace . You will always be with us in spirit and will never be forgotten . Rest In Peace .. keep on serving swinging and slamming my friend .

Very sad news about losing this good friend and fellow ponger. A true genleman and one heck of a player. Gary will be missed. He had a great life and his humanity will be rewarded in his next adventure

Ellen and the Whiddon Family,  Gary, and I first met at Goebel Community Center in Thousand Oaks while playing table tennis.  We became instant friends and became close over the years.  Gary was an outstanding table tennis player and fierce competitor.  I learned so much from Gary as I had the pleasure of playing alongside Gary in different tournaments from Orange County, Glendale. Santa Monica etc. 

I was running the Camarillo Table Tennis Club and invited Gary to join us.  Gary was such a welcomed addition to our large club.  Everyone gravitated to Gary not only on his skill but as a kind and giving man who everyone liked. Gary always had time to help and coach others at our club!

Gary was so excited when he was remodeling his home and building a beautiful table tennis room. I remember when we talked about the new special flooring and helping Gary put together his new table tennis table. He was so excited to see the completed table tennis room. I was fortunate to spend every Monday playing in his awesome room.  I loved making Gary laugh and when he missed a shot he would make a big GRRRRRRRRR noise which would make all of us laugh.  

I miss my friend every day. Prayers to the Whiddon family!







I had the pleasure of meeting Gary many years ago when I worked with Gary's wife, Ellen. There was a reduced amount of contact after Ellen retired. I was very pleasantly surprised to run into Gary again when I started playing with the Camarillo Senior Table Tennis Club at Freedom Gym, after I retired. I was just learning how to play table tennis and Gary was an elite player. I learned so much from watching him play.  Gary was a fierce and intense player, but he also had a ready smile to share with others.
I have more recently played with Gary at the custom table tennis room at his home. I have so many fond memories of exciting matches, smack talking, smiles and laughter. Having his grandkids watch us play was a special treat as they told him to "go pops". Gary's passing is a huge loss to so many people.


I remember Gary as someone who was generous with his time and talent as a fellow member of the Freedom Gym  ping pong club.  He pulled me -- a much less talented player -- up the table ladder, often to the top table by dint of his talent as I clung to his coattails.  A belated thank you, Gary, for your generosity.

I’ve been trying to come up with the right words to say but finally decided that was never going to happen. So, I will just say how sorry I was to hear about Gary. After working for him nine years when the company was Westlake Employee Benefits I admired his persistence in always being willing to try new things in order to grow his business. He was a hard worker who loved his family with all his heart. I’m glad to hear he had gotten back to the table tennis game. My blessings to Ellen, Afton, Chase and their families.

Good day , I was saddened to learn of Gary’s passing , I am
In the retirement business and through linkedn and social media we reconnected at his office . This was a year ago and we enjoyed sharing stories of our journey to California, our love of table tennis and the only child thing was a topic as I am one as well , 
Gary on my early part of my 401k carreer( 34 years now ) was someone I called upon .

Kind - thoughtful , creative and kind is how I will remember gary , keep that ping pong theme alive !! I enjoyed my time with you gary - long ago and In recent times !
Mitch haber 

I worked for Gary Whiddon at his insurance agencies, Westlake Employee Benefits and American Alliance Insurance Brokers for thirteen years.  Although we didn’t always agree on subjects - particularly politics - I respected him as a warm and caring person who gave his all to his family, his business, and to God.  Condolences to Ellen, Afton, Chase and their families; may happy memories of cherished times with Gary sustain you in the days and weeks ahead.

Gary was a great guy and I enjoyed playing table tennis with him on many occasions. I appreciated him,  sharing his knowledge, techniques and talent. My condolences to his family. 
God Bless,  John Gundic  

Gary, my friend, I so much enjoyed our Wednesday golf games. My cart partner for the past four years, you always kept me in the game. We laughed at our bad shots and we celebrated our good ones.  I'll miss you out there. It won't be the same.
Rest in peace buddy and hit em straight!

Even though I never got to meet Gary in person, I got to know him through the business side.   He was a man of integrity and had a heart of gold!  It was evident that he loved his family, lived his days to the fullest, and was committed to his Lord Jesus Christ.  It was an honor to work for him!  I am so saddened to hear of his homegoing, but yet rejoicing in who he is with.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Ellen, Afton and Brian, Chase and Kelsey, and the granddaughters.  May the Lord be an ever present help and sustainer of hope for each of you in the coming days.






My name is Diego de Blas and I'm from Madrid, Spain.

I had a chance to meet Gary in 2016 while I was studying for a semester in California. We played together at the Camarillo Tournament in Freedom Gym. I admired his dedication to the game but on top of that I remember how welcoming and kind he was to me.

After that day we met each other many other times in later visits. It was always a pleasure to be with him and his group of friends.  

I wish the best for his family and friends in these hard times.

Gary was a longtime friend and business colleague. I always had great respect for his integrity, business acumen, but most of all his love for family. He was a member of my ProVisors Group and will be missed by all.

It is with great sadness that I learned about the passing of my good friend Gary who was so passionate about playing ping pong. I got to know Gary was at Conejo Community Center about 15 years ago when he came to play on a Sunday afternoon ping pong playing time. I was the first person he played with after he stopped playing for 18 years, as he told me. We met again at the center about 4 years ago after I came back from the Bay area. Since then, we have played ping pong almost every week, first at Joy’s ping pong club per his invitation and later at his home. He loved playing ping pong so much that he built a dedicated ping pong room in his house in which we spent so much enjoyable and memorable time together. He was such kind and caring man that he called me up with warm wording when I stayed in hospital for a heart procedure. I lost a such great friend that I feel saddened from my heart. May he rest in peace.

I’m very sorry to hear about Gary.  I enjoyed working with him in the insurance world. Gary was always upbeat and positive.  I will miss hearing about his family and ping pong. Sending love and prayers to the Whiddon family.  

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Gary Lee Whiddon

8 juillet 1952 – 16 mars 2023

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, Mortuary & Crematory

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service