GREGORY WHITAKER

" GREG" Gregory Clark Whitaker, 46, husband of Becky Whitaker, died Tuesday, March 2, 2011. Born in Macon, GA on July 6, 1964, Greg was the son of Clark and Ellen Ursitti Whitaker of Watkinsville. In 1986, Greg graduated from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business with a BBA in Management. While attending college, he began his law enforcement career with the University of Georgia Police Department in 1983. After graduating, Greg worked at the Cobb County Police Department, the Oconee County Sheriff's Department as a reserve deputy, GBI special agent, and the Fulton County Police Department. Three years ago, he became one of the first 56 inaugural officers of the Johns Creek Police Department, where he was promoted posthumously to the rank of Sergeant. Directing traffic for Woodward Academy North in Duluth was one of Greg's favorite jobs. He was a supporter of the Southern States PBA and was a member of the Watkinsville First Baptist Church. A couple of things for which Greg will be most remembered are his keen sense of humor and dry wit. His life is best defined by his love of his family, friends, fellow officers, and his career in law enforcement. Survivors in addition to his wife and parents include his children, Tori and Wade Whitaker; sister, Paige Whitaker Spearing (George) and nieces, Ashley, Kate and Laura Spearing of Arnoldsville; aunts and uncles, Martin and Jan Ursitti of Forsyth, Gary and Debra Whitaker of Gray, June and Otis Smith of Macon, numerous cousins, and his Johns Creek Police Department family. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 11AM at Briarwood Baptist Church with Chaplain Remco Brommet of the Johns Creek Police Department and Dr. Rick Standard, pastor of Briarwood Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Oconee Memorial Park. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department will provide a full honor guard. The family will receive friends Friday, March 4, 2011, from 6 PM-8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Autism Speaks, 1990 K Street, NW, Washington, DC  20006, or to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund at http://www.nleoomf.org/contribute/ . Lord & Stephens West is in charge of arrangements.