Officer Lance Christian Whitaker, 48, died May 15, 2018 on Alta Road. Lance Whitaker was born in High Point NC, in 1970 and started life with a full head of hair. His nickname was Pooh Bear. He lived a short time in Knoxville, TN, and then moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1982. He attended Dupont Middle School and then graduated from Wolfson High School in 1988. He was a member of the wrestling and football teams. He later attended Gardner Webb College where he graduated with a degree in Business. He was a member of the Division 2 Bulldog Football Team.
He began his career in law enforcement with the Atlantic Beach Police Department followed by 17 years with Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He dedicated his life to serving others. He made friends throughout the community that he patrolled and left his mark on many people. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycles, and camping with his buddies. He was a collector of guns and knives. He enjoyed the social aspect of golf and as he often said, "I use my time on the green as a time to quench my thirst, enjoy a cigar and use that time to add up all the strokes it took me to get to that point!" He had a witty sense of humor with a contagious smile. He loved to poke fun at people, especially himself. He was an all-around easygoing guy, always wanting to make someone laugh or smile.
He is preceded in death by his father Robert Layell Whitaker, grandparents Ernest and Clyde Hall, and grandmother Edna Peace. Lance is survived by his son, Cade Robert Whitaker, mother, Lannie Duree Whitaker, his sister, Angela (Whitaker) Mazurek, brother in-law, Michael Mazurek, his fiancée, Shannon Campbell Lien, and his future step-children: Skylar Lien, Avery Lien, and Caleb Lien, family friends, Bill and Shelley Grant and their daughters, Brooke and Caroline, and best friends, Brian Burnett, Mike Conley, Bart Brownfield, and Billy Shrum. He also leaves behind many other friends who held a special place in his heart.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to his fund at VyStar Credit Union. There will be a visitation for Officer Whitaker on Tuesday, May 22 from 5-8 pm at Evangel Temple Assembly of God, 5755 Ramona Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 23 at 11 am at Evangel Temple Assembly of God, 5755 Ramona Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. The committal service will follow at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel and Cemetery 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207.
Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com
HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.
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