Russell George Whitaker

Russell George Whitaker (Oct. 27, 1962- July 24, 2024): Beloved son, brother, cousin, nephew, friend and co-worker.

Born in El Paso, Texas, Russell lived all over the country, moving to Las Vegas and back to El Paso at an early age before his family moved to Minneapolis in 1977, where he finished high school in 1981.

Russ moved to Atlanta in 1983, then finally settled in San Antonio, Texas, in the '90s, where he lived for the last two decades of his life.

Russell's lifelong fascination with motorcycles led him to work for Harley-Davidson for many years, and he always maintained his love of motorcycles, as well as cars and bicycles. He was an avid bicyclist who often rode his bicycles to and from work.

Russ also loved reading, and in his off time he often frequented bookstores, where he would spend hours browsing.

Russell lived a life of service to others; most notably his mother, Dorothea, whom he took care of full-time in her later years. He was also quick to help anyone and everyone in his family, remembered as a rock-solid presence who could always be counted on.

That extended to his work life, where his co-workers used the phrases "In Russ We Trust" and "Russell the Muscle" to describe his work ethic.

He passed away after suffering a stroke at work, and in a final act of service, his donated organs helped save other lives.

Russell George Whitaker was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothea Whitaker, and sister, Shantel "M.J." Whitaker. He is survived by his beloved father, Jesse Whitaker, and his wife, Pat, who he regarded as a second mother; his brother, Sterling (who looked up to him as his best friend and hero) and his wife, Carla, who called Russell "the brother I never had;" and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, relatives and friends all over the country, including Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Michigan and more.

The family is planning a private Celebration of Life service.