Born in Big Timber, Montana on October 5, 1937, he was the son of Stanley Andrew Whitham and Sylvia Violet Hartline. Along with his siblings, David was raised on a ranch in Reed Point, Montana. It was on the ranch that he developed a lifelong love for hunting and the outdoors and learned the value of hard work. He graduated from Reed Point High School in 1955 in a class of just four students. David earned his Bachelor of Science in Range Management from Montana State University in 1959 and went on to complete his Master of Science at the University of Arizona in January 1961. He was member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
It was during his time in Tucson that David met the love of his life, Mary Elberfeld. The two were united in marriage on March 18, 1961, beginning a 65-year partnership filled with adventure. Shortly after marriage, David enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served honorably from 1961 to 1965. His service took them from the island of Eleuthera in the British West Indies to a naval communications station near Washington, D.C., before he was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant. Following his military service, David worked briefly in farm and ranch sales in Billings, Montana, before moving to Denver in 1967 to begin a long, successful career in the securities industry. In 1973, he relocated to Fort Collins, serving as Branch Manager, Sales Manager, and Investment Executive for several merging firms, eventually retiring from PaineWebber, Inc. in August 1994.
Throughout his life, David was defined by his active spirit and wide array of passions. A licensed pilot, David took to the skies with Mary always by his side as his trusted co-pilot. His love for the West extended to raising Quarter Horses and racehorses. A die-hard, lifelong Denver Broncos fan, David held season tickets for years, though he later preferred cheering on his team from the comfort of his home living room. In retirement, David and Mary moved to Summit County, Colorado, fully embracing the mountain lifestyle. They spent countless days hiking and cross-country skiing through the Rockies. Together, they traveled extensively across the Southwest in their motorhome, taking in the open landscapes they both loved. Community service was exceptionally important to David. He joined the Rotary Club of Fort Collins in 1974, serving as Club President from 1985 to 1986, and continued his dedicated involvement with the Rotary Club in Summit County following his retirement.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and community leader who lived life fully and embraced every adventure along the way.
David is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his three sons, Stephen (Misty), Jeffrey (Debbie), and Christopher, all of Loveland, CO; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his sisters, Ruth Drange of Big Timber, MT, and Mary Krone of Boise, ID; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William Whitham.
Funeral services for David will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church in Johnstown, Colorado. Family and friends are invited to gather for a viewing at 10:00 AM prior to the service, which will commence at 11:00 AM. Following the service, a light reception will be hosted at the church. Interment will take place at 2:00 PM at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Services will be officiated by Pastor Brandon Ross. Serving as pallbearers are Stephen Whitham, Jeffrey Whitham, Christopher Whitham, Isaac Whitham, and Owen Whitham.
In lieu of flowers, David's memory may be honored through charitable contributions to The Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Faith Lutheran Church in Johnstown, or Good Samaritan - Loveland Village.
Memories of David and words of condolence for his family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.
