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Kurt Wharton Obituary
"DOC"
JUN. 19, 1956 - AUG. 18, 2011
Dr. Kurt Lee Wharton passed away August 18th. He was born June 19, 1956 and shared his birthday with Garfield the Cat, something that always made him smile. His mother Virginia and father Dr. David Wharton, along with his older brother Erik, lived in Modesto at the time. He spent all his school years in the Bay Area. Kurt went to college at UCSB and continued his education by getting his DDS at UCSF. He then went on to practice general dentistry in Escalon with his father. After his father retired Kurt moved his practice to Modesto. He was lovingly known to his staff and patients as, "Doc." "Doc" was attentive to the needs of all his patients, always taking the time to listen and getting to know them personally. To his staff he was the, "Big Brother" that most never had. He had a young at heart attitude, which was one of the many reasons his staff loved him so much. Each day started with his unforgettable smile greeting us all with open arms and a loud cheerful, "Good Morning!" Generous, caring, loving, fun sense of humor and his love for life showed through his persona daily. He was a teacher to his staff, sharing his love of dentistry. He will be truly missed but never forgotten. Kurt is survived by his mother, Virginia Wharton, brother, Erik (Carol) Wharton, two step-children, Jennifer and Richard, and their children. He was preceded in death by his lifelong love, Sheryl Wharton who passed one month earlier. We feel he died of a broken heart. They will now be together forever. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Modesto on Monday, August 29 at 9:30am. Burial to follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson. www.lakewoodhughson.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Kurt Wharton
January 28, 2013
Wow - we miss you "doc". For a longer appointment he even brought in Beatles music, since we had talked about them a month before...... can't beat that kind of service and thoughtfulness. We miss you !!
Christina Cisneros
December 19, 2012
You will be missed Doc.. u were a great person and boss! I will forever cherish the great fun times at the office with Laura and Betty!. :) U will always be remembered <3
Robert Iezman DDS
August 15, 2012
I wish to pay homage to my friend and colleague Kurt Wharton. An artistic and kind free spirit and independant thinker who will be missed by his family, friends, patients and colleagues alike. My abiding memory of Kurt is his teaching me to fence on the cliffs of the Marin Headlands where we engaged in a fierce sabre duel in full view of all the weekend beachgoers who were staring up at us in wonder. That experience could not have happened with anyone but Kurt. I am sad to learn of Kurt and Sheryl's passing but I am grateful for the rich memories I have of them which are now part of the fabric of my life. They may be gone, but they will not be forgotten.
Jerel F. Philip D.M.D.
August 9, 2012
I went to UCSB with Kurt where we took pre-dental required classes together and he was straight A's to my B's. Brilliant and an artist.Superb painter and sculptor we went to many exhibits, Tiffany, Van Gough, etc, and I was always amazed at his knowledge... learned alot. We both applied to UCSF Dental and he was immeadiately accepted with a 4.0. I went back east to Boston disappointed but he wrote letters encourgeing me to perservere. When I returned, I went to Sheryl and his wedding at Carmel Mission and reception at Highland Inn with a harpist! Loved them as a couple.I worked with him in Escalon 2 days a week as my first dental job in Calif. What a patient and excellent Dentist and now I have emulated him in my own practices these 22 years since then. I am sad that the last time I visited him in Modesteo was 10 years ago were we had a glass of red wine and laughed.. always laughed alot when you're with Kurt. Sheryl seemed struggleing more with her health but still wonderful and warm as usual. We spoke by phone every year or so since then but I am in shock and a year late as I tried to call his office two days ago to refer a patient. Can't believe they're both gone and I never said Goodbye. Will visit the memorial soon to pay my respects but to me and all who knew them the world was a better place for having had the short pleasure of Kurt and Sheryl's lives among us. See ya in another place ,Man.
B Ciprian
May 3, 2012
I tried calling the office to make an appointment and the line was disconnected. I got online to see if he had his office number changed. To find his obituary instead was a complete shock. I couldn't hold back the tears. I was looking forward to our usual conversations about music, concerts, movies and photography. The things we always talked about during my visits. Dr. Wharton was a genuinely caring person. He was a dentist I could trust, but I also saw him as a friend. He will be sorely missed. I will never find a dentist that will replace Dr. Wharton in all aspects. It's a rarity to find a dentist with whom one has a great rapport.
My prayers go out to the family for their loss and the loss of his wife.
Thank you Dr. Wharton for our visits filled with laughs, and for your kindness. You will be missed. Our loss, heavens gain.
May 2, 2012
I'm so shock to hear this I went by his office to make a appointment and seen it was closed I thought he had moved look on Internet and found this is so sad he was a very nice man my heart go out to his family
anayeli madrigal
March 7, 2012
Dr. Wharton was my dentist since I was 7 years old and I remember him as a kind, and loving Dr. Always taking the time to talk to me about movies he recently watched.! We shared laughters that truly made my experience at the dentist worthwhile and fun! My entire family were patients of Dr. W. and we will truly miss him. R.I.P Doc.
Becky Gould
November 27, 2011
Dr Wharton was our dentist for 4 years and I loved seeing him. He was always remembering what I had said the previous visit and was very sincere. When I had a tooth that broke off, I went to look for him at the office because the phone was not connecting. I am shocked and broken hearted to hear of his his passing. I know that him and his wife were having some health issues. I know they are together and that there is no pain in heaven. My my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and kids for their loss. Dr Wharton was extrodinary and one that had a spirit that was so very alive and vivacious. We will miss him very much. Our hearts go out to his staff too in this time of grief.
Greg Smith
September 3, 2011
The first part of this year I was seen by Dr. Wharton as a new patient and I was glad to have found a dentist that actually took time to talk as if he was truly interested in what I had to say and not treat me as just another patient. I was very sad to have learned that he had passed away and equally sad to hear about his wife passing just before him. He was good person with a good heart, which is hard to find in today's world.
Art and Ruth Des Roches
August 30, 2011
Dr. Wharton had such a kind and gentle spirit. We were his patients for 13 years and I feel blessed that I was able to see him on August 13th for a cleaning and we were able to catch up on the goings on of our families. He expressed how much he loved his wife and shared the news of her passing. He also shared how excited he was for the visit from the grandkids and all the fun activities they just shared. We both agreed that this life is too short and we should take each moment and enjoy it to its fullest. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Thank you for sharing your heart with us Dr. Wharton, you will be forever missed.
Jessica Hamilton
August 29, 2011
Dr.Wharton was a one of a kind dentist, by far the best I've ever had! He was a warm and caring person and I was deeply saddened by the news of his passing. may he rest in peace.
matilda figueroa / abc dental care staff
August 29, 2011
to the wharton family so sorry for ur loss , just found out dr wharton had passed i've worked in the same building for over 8 yrs. actually in the office next door and hadn't seen him for awhile i thought he was on vacation. come to find out he passed were in shock here at our office, may he rip he wil b missed but never forgotten.
Crissy Cortez and family
August 28, 2011
DOC thank you so much for being YOU... you were an amazing boss,friend, and dentist. You taught me so much, and took such good care of my family and me! We will miss you greatly.
Mary Jane Meyer
August 27, 2011
Dr. Wharton was one of the nicest people that I have every met. He always made me feel like family at my appointments. Always asking about my family with genuine concern. I trusted him, and he always made me feel calm and relaxed. He will truly be missed.
August 27, 2011
Doc was our family's dentist for over 20 years. We started seeing him in Escalon when he was there 2 days a week commuting from San Francisco. Followed him to Modesto even when we moved over over 85 miles away. We are greatly saddened by his passing. We have many memories of him, jokes, sharing of our families. We shall miss him greatly.
Jack, Jerri and Jeff Brown
Priscilla Contreras
August 27, 2011
Dr.Wharton was a wonderful and kind hearted person. He was such a great dentist that I traveled from Elk Grove for appiontments. Your life stories and great smile will be missed.Your memory will be in the hearts of all of those you shared your life with. Thank you.
Brian & Shelly Silva
August 27, 2011
We were very fortunate to know Kurt for a short while when we lived next door to him on Merle. He and Sheryl both were always so very kind to us and our boys. Even though we only knew them for 6 years, we will never forget his contagious smile and warm personality. We hope God helps heal the family's hearts during this difficult time.
Jill Somner
August 27, 2011
Dr. Wharton was the best dentist! He had a genuine smile that made you feel at home and welcomed in his office. He helped me with a dental situation that no one else found and I will forever be grateful to him! His office staff reflected what a great boss they had by the family feeling that radiated throughout the office. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and office staff of this wonderful gentleman. May God comfort you in this time of loss.
Veronica "Betty" Lopez
August 26, 2011
Thank you Dr. Wharton for being the best boss, teacher and big brother to me. I am truly blessed to have been your dental assistant for fifteen years. You will forever live in my heart. I miss you so very much.
Catherine Buster
August 26, 2011
I was very sad to hear about Dr. Wharton. My boys and I have been patients of his for over 15 years. He was a gentle, kind man who always treated his patients with kindness and compassion. He will be missed.
Laura Jensen
August 26, 2011
Thank you "Doc" for all the wonderful memories and all the many great times we had as your staff, which for many of us was like a family. You will forever be in our hearts.
Jennifer Robar
August 26, 2011
I am heartbroken as well. Dr. Wharton was the best dentist ever. He always made me feel at ease in the dentists chair. He will be forever missed!
Taborah Wood
August 26, 2011
Such a loss..I started seeing Dr.Wharton in 1984,great doctor and so nice
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