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WHITEHEAD, JERRY, 60
SHERIFF GERALD M. "JERRY" WHITEHEAD
Lake Butler - Sheriff Jerry Whitehead, Lake Butler, passed away at the age of 60 on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 after a brief illness. He will always be remembered for his servant's attitude and helping others. He was currently serving as the DEAN OF SHERIFFS, as the longest serving Sheriff in the State of Florida. He was elected Sheriff of Union County in 1984 and served from 1985 until his death. He followed in his father's John H. Whitehead long legacy as a law enforcement officer and Sheriff. He graduated Union County High School and attended Lake City Community College. He also completed Florida Department of Law Enforcement Executive Institute and received numerous law enforcement training and certifications throughout his career. He was also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy.
He is survived by his wife, Tammy and six children, Matt (Michelle); Brad (Jennifer); Chelsea; Jake, Jack Henry and Presley Vivian; one brother John Henry (Brenda); and one sister Cynthia "Sis" Whitehead and four grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, John Henry and Vivian Whitehead. He is surrounding throughout life by many close family and friends. He was a lifelong Union County native and gave his life and service to those in Union County.
Sheriff Whitehead received the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency, the Paul Harris Fellow Award for his dedication and leadership to Rotary, the Shining Star Award from Florida Education Foundation. He served the Florida Sheriff's Association as Secretary 1987-88; Treasurer, 1989; Vice President, 1990; and President 1991, as well as a member of the board of directors for many years. He was very active in the Lake Butler Rotary Club and served as President from 1989-1990. He was currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Florida Sheriffs Self Insurance Fund since 2002 and the Board of Directors of the Sheriff's Automobile Risk Program since 2002, as well as the Florida Sheriff's Multiple Employer Trust. He was a longtime supporter of the Florida Department of Corrections. He was also a member of the Lake Butler Masonic Lodge. He was a strong supporter of the Union County schools system. He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church of Lake Butler.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 2:00PM at the First Christian Church of Lake Butler with Bro. Art Peterson officiating. Burial will be in Whitehead Cemetery. Under the care of Archer Funeral Home of Lake Butler. Family will receive friends at the First Christian Church Friday evening from 5:00PM-8:00PM. In lieu of flowers family request that Memorial contributions be made to the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches Inc.; P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, Florida 32064. Please sign guest book at
archerfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dear Whitehead Family:Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of Mr. Jerry. He was indeed a people person and I believe he represented what a Florida Sheriff is. He is be missed greatly. I have said to other sheriffs, you want to know how you are doing, compare yourself to Mr. Jerry. God Bless the family.
Jimmie Hill
December 23, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. He will be missed.
Paulette and Ressie Griffis
December 22, 2013
Jerry was a fine person whom we admired greatly. He will be missed. God bless you and the family during this most difficult time.
December 22, 2013
Jerry Whitehead was a cop's sheriff. He was also a people's sheriff. He was always willing to listen to and help anyone he could. It will be extremely hard to fill his shoes. He always took time to sit and talk with me when I stopped by to see him at the courthouse in Lake Butler. He and his father were the two finest men ever to wear the badge. I am proud to call him my friend. May God bless the family, friends, and employees of the Union County Sheriff's Office.
Charles Rahn
December 21, 2013
I JUST WANT TO SAY I HAVE MANY GREAT MEMORIES OF U JERRY I WILL NEVER FORGET AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOUR FAMILY IAM PRAYING OR U ALL AND MAY GOD BLESS U ALL AND THANKS FOR ALL THE LAUGHS WE SHARED AND JUST TWO WEKKS AGO WE SHARED SOME LAUGHS FOR ABOUT HOUR AND HALF ON PHONE I WILL NEVER FOR GET U SIR U HAVE MADE ME WHAT I AM TODAY WITH ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND TALKS BACK WHEN I WAS A YOUNG AND THANK U FOR EVERYTHING
lora gibson strickland
December 21, 2013
May you Rest In Peace
CATHY TAYLOR
December 21, 2013
Kemp & Maria Bonesio Martin
December 21, 2013
Prayer for the family and the many friends who mourn the loss of Jerry. May our Lord and Saviour give you the strength to go through this loss.
warren alexander
December 21, 2013
Praying for the Whitehead family
Hazel Varnes
December 21, 2013
Praying for the family
Glenda Bloodsworth
December 21, 2013
Prayers for the family and friends, Ken and Shannon Hutson
December 21, 2013
My heart goes out to the family and friends. A kind man is never forgotten. I pray for comfort and strength for all. I also send my condolences to the citizens of Union County. His loss is the loss of every person in the county.
Nonagaile Townsend
December 21, 2013
I always heard great things about Mr.Jerry Whitehead.I met him a couple of times and he was always happy go lucky kind a guy.I am so sorry that his family has to go thru this near the holiday.My prayers and thoughts go out to the entire family.He will be greatly missed.He did everything he could for Union County.And Mr.Jerry Whitehead always had a kind word to if you was having a bad day.I definitely wish the best for his.RIP MR.JERRY WHITEHEAD.God Bless Everyone.And just remember he is above looking down and still keeping us all safe.
Nicole Stinson
December 20, 2013
Jerry's passing is such a great loss for everyone who knew him. Our prayers goes out to his kids, gran kids, wife and family. We pray that God will give you strength to handle what must be the roughest thing you will ever go through in life. To his children we can honestly say we know just what you are going through. May God guide you and keep you safe. Former Dixie County Sheriff Larry E. Edmonds and wife Pam.
Larry & Pam Edmonds
December 20, 2013
Our prayers are with you at this sad time. Chuck and Terri Dilas
December 20, 2013
I did not know Jerry but the Whitehead family have been long time friends with my family, going all the way back to my parents and grandparents. My heart goes out to them in their loss. The county has lost a sheriff, but they have lost a loved one.
Lannie Varnes Boyd
December 20, 2013
MY FAMILY SENDS OUR DEEPEST REGARDS TO THE WHITEHEAD FAMILY AT THIS TIME . JERRY NO DOUBT WILL BE MISSED BY ALL
LEN SCHLOFMAN
December 20, 2013
Praying for the family Jerry was always a great friend He will be greatly missed by everyone who's life he touched thru the years
Robin & Ben Whitten/Snellgrove
December 20, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Jerry was one of Union County's true legions.
Patrick & Irene Castlen
December 20, 2013
One of the truly good guys in the world...
Bobby Hart
December 20, 2013
So sorry for your familys lost. He was a very inspiring person. The whole community will be lost without him. We will all miss him. The family is in our prayers. God Bless each and everyone of you.
Barbara Holton
December 20, 2013
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