Gary M. Whitaker

Gary Michael Whitaker, aged 77, departed this life on September 26, 2024, at his home in Lexington, surrounded by his family. Born in East Bernstadt on March 1, 1947, he was the oldest child of the late Charles and Geneva Whitaker. Gary served in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970, and upon returning met and married the love of his life, Barb. The two shared a 53-year journey of love, faith, and family.
A devout Christian, Gary was an active member of Highlands Baptist Church in Lexington for nearly 30 years. He was ordained as a Deacon at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Waco in 1991 and served as a deacon and deacon emeritus until his passing. Gary's love of Christ parallelled his love of family, and that love grew as he and Barb welcomed two children, Alison and Mike. Gary believed in the joy of hard work, and spent 23 years with Kern's Bakery, moving from route driver to senior management. He then spent 12 years leading a retail team in the furniture industry before retirement. However, his proudest and most natural role for the past decade and a half came as Papaw to three adoring grandchildren, Peyton, Hadley, and Lorelei.
Gary is survived by Barb, as well as their two children, Alison (Jeff) West of Richmond and Mike (Courtney) Whitaker of Woodstock, Georgia, his grandchildren, Peyton Whitaker, Hadley West and Lorelei Whitaker, his sisters Charlotte Whitaker and Kathy (Tommy) Johnson, both of East Bernstadt, and a host of extended family and friends. He was proceeded in death by his parents, his sister Carolyn Taulbee, his niece Maggie Taulbee, and his nephew Shannon Johnson.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday, September 29th at Kerr Brothers on Harrodsburg Road. The funeral service celebrating Gary's life will be on Monday, September 30th at 12:00 PM. Visitors will be welcomed from 10:30 AM until the service. Interment with full military honors will immediately follow at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville.