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John M. Whitaker

1950 - 2016

John M. Whitaker obituary, 1950-2016, Los Angeles, CA

John Whitaker Obituary

December 14, 1950 - February 18, 2016 John Malmström Whitaker passed into Spirit on February 18, 2016, in Lancaster, California. He was born on December 14, 1950, to George Parks Whitaker and Anita Malmström Whitaker. His dear sister, Maria Louise, was adopted 12 years later. John is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, and their son, David, as well as extended family across the United States and in Finland, the birthplace of his mother, Anita. He is predeceased by his mother, father and sister. John and Linda married in Triadelphia, West Virginia, on July 30, 1974. On a visit with John's parents at Old Trail Farm, his mother said, "Why don't you get married right here in the rose garden?" And they did ten days later, surrounded by family and friends! It was 12 years before their beloved son, David, was born. He is a blessing that fills their hearts and lives. John was a lifelong learner and educator. His university degrees include a B.A from Middlebury College (1975), an M.E. from the University of Vermont (1977), a Master's Degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica (1984), and a Ph.D. from the Professional School for Psychological Studies (1988). John was one of the founding faculty members of the University of Santa Monica's Counseling Psychology Program. As licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, he and Linda had a private practice in Palmdale, CA for 23 years. Additionally, John worked as Clinical Director for the Children's Bureau in the Antelope Valley, where he wrote and administered a multimillion-dollar grant for early intervention and child abuse prevention services for families at risk. His innovative influence is still active today in the work of Yes2Kids, Partnership for Families, Welcome Baby, and Mayor Antonovich's Policy Roundtable for Child Care and Development. John's intellectual brilliance and unwavering advocacy for children and families brought dignity to many lives. John's spiritual focus was ever present and of primary importance to him. He was an Ordained Minister in the Church of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness. He had a consciousness of service and his kindness, generosity, and leave-it-better-than-you-found-it-policy made our world a better place. John loved to celebrate. Many a dance floor has been graced by his footsteps. All who knew him experienced his abundant joy and good humor. John, we are celebrating you now as your loving dances in our hearts. Two memorial services will be held. Easter Sunday, March 27, at 3PM, University of Santa Monica, 2107 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403, (310) 829-7402. This service will be broadcast live online at: http://tinyurl.com/JohnWhitakerMemorial Saturday, May 28, at 11AM, Sandscrest 143 Sandcrest Road, Wheeling, WV 20063, for both John and Anita. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the University of Santa Monica.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times from Feb. 28 to Mar. 1, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for John Whitaker

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Hank Bednarz

March 24, 2016

You quietly, lovingly and peacefully have been and will continue to be an inspiration for me and all. Thank you and God bless.

Cindy Roberts

March 19, 2016

John brought grace and style to this world that will be missed. Thank you for your wisdom, I was honored to have had you in my life.

Dana Baier

March 19, 2016

John was a colleague of mine at Children's Bureau.He had a generous heart for all the people he worked with and for. I know that his joy of Life continues.

Robin L. Waters, formerly Robin Schultheis

March 18, 2016

John, rest in peace. Thank you for helping me in my early career as a therapist as my Clinical Supervisor at Children's Bureau. I have wonderful memories of that time because of your allowing me the freedom to stretch my intern wings. I learned the essence of growth and transformation from you that I carry today in my work and writing of children's therapy stories. Linda, please accept my condolences and know that John didn't just make a difference in the lives of children, but also in the hearts and minds of the adults he watched over, so we could all share his vision of leaving the world a better place.

Susie Basanda

March 14, 2016

We met and chatted that I live near you and Linda at the MSIA conference last year. Your physical presence will be missed.

Niloo Bahadori

March 6, 2016

So sorry and sad by your passing john. We will miss your presence and big smile. May you rest in peace

Barbara Andrade DuBransky

March 3, 2016

So sad to hear of this loss for children and their families. John always put children and their families in the forefront. He was a great partner and a kind-hearted soul. He will be greatly missed.

Katherine Reuter

March 1, 2016

I am so sad to learn of John's passing. He and I had such a wonderful professional collaboration - presenting our results on the Partnership for Families child abuse prevention program, both locally at ICAN and then at the national Zero To Three convention. We also worked together on LA County's Department of Mental Health ICARE steering committee and group (to which we also presented). He was universally respected and admired in the field. But it was all due to the deep and heart-felt passion he had for improving the lives of at-risk families with very young children. You could hear it in his voice and see it in his face. The world is a better place for his living in it. I will miss him and can't believe he's not here still. Katherine Reuter, PhD

Karen Finello

March 1, 2016

It was my privilege to know John as a colleague and consider him a friend. The world is a better place because of his contributions;very young children and their families have been particularly impacted by his caring and generous work. My condolences to John's family.

Leah Kramer

March 1, 2016

I'm happy to have known John, and appreciated him as one of my teachers. I send love and light to his soul, and to you, Linda and David. May your hearts be light again soon.

Rachelle

March 1, 2016

Linda and David, what a privilege we had to have met him. I'm a million times sorry for your loss. Bless you both.

Wayne Pepper

March 1, 2016

Will miss your smile John.
Light to you and your family.

Joanie Clingan

March 1, 2016

Feeling great joy for John in his completion of a life beautifully lived as an exemplary demonstration of love. Feeling profound gratitude for having been blessed by that love. Feeling deep sadness at the loss of a friend loved by so many. My heart is with Linda and David.

Linda Thurber

February 29, 2016

John's smile and unconditional love will be missed by all.

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Memorial Events
for John Whitaker

Mar

27

Memorial service

3:00 p.m.

University of Santa Monica

2107 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA

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