Kevin Whiteley

  Kevin Whiteley, 59, went to be with Jesus on January 9, 2025. 

  Kevin’s life is the tale of two halves. He was born on August 11, 1965, to Royce and Lora Whiteley, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the third child/son in a family of six kids. While being a third son would normally produce an over-the-top adventurous attitude in most boys, Kevin’s spirit was calm and quiet but always inquisitive and observant. He was smart and a good student in the classroom and always voted the ‘most quiet.’ He loved to run and compete in cross country and long-distance track. 

  This passion would drive him to change schools at 16 so he could gain recognition and pursue college scholarships. He graduated from Paschal High in Fort Worth and ran cross country for Ranger Junior College for two years. Training on the famous Ranger Hill was never a deterrent and a testimony to his dedication to the sport. He would later transfer to his beloved Texas A&M University and receive his degree in Parks & Recreation Management. 

  His new passion would be keeping golf courses green, beautiful and talking nonstop about grass and weed control. He spent most of his career at Neches Pines in Diboll, Texas, before he would move to Mississippi to be the superintendent at a municipal golf course in Gulfport. 

  During these professional years, he would continue to race in 10k fun runs everywhere because he loved running and competing. He would also join Toastmasters International so he could gain confidence in public speaking and found his way to the board as president. He also became a student of the game of golf and sang in the choir at his church. 

  Kevin’s passions were sidelined in 2000 when he experienced a devastating hemorrhagic brain bleed and lost his ability to live independently due to short term memory loss. He resided with his mom and dad for 21 years and found new activities to enjoy. Some of these new adventures would include trips to Europe, riding on a camel, going to the beach, lifting weights with dad at the gym, assisting dad with the bounce house business, and countless Houston Rockets basketball games. After moving to Caraday Nursing Facility in ‘21, he would continue to enjoy singing in the choir, music activities, bingo, eating out, going to movies, Putt-Putt golf, watching action and western movies on TV, and cheering for his favorite football team - the Aggie’s. 

  While Kevin’s short-term memory may have lapsed, the Holy Spirit who resided in his heart was alive and well. On his good, extremely alert days we would speak of eternity, the rapture, and how content he was with his life. He had the most grateful attitude and appreciated everyone and everything. He loved his family but especially his mom! He was faithful in his Christian walk and had the most beautiful - detailed prayers you could ever hear at shared meals always ending with, “Amen, amen, amen.” 

  He was loved and will be missed, but we know He is completely whole, walking the streets of gold in heaven with his Lord and Savior. 

  Kevin is survived by his mother, Lora Whiteley; brothers, Ronnie Silvia, Chris Whiteley, Robin Whiteley (Ana), Chad Whiteley (Maria); and sister, Lorrie McMillan (Tom); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

  Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Royce Whiteley, and maternal and paternal grandparents. 

  *The family would like to thank the Terrace Unit staff and extended staff at Caraday for the wonderful, loving care Kevin received.

  A visitation will begin one hour prior to his funeral service, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., and the funeral will begin at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Galbreaith Pickard Hilltop Chapel, in Willow Park, Texas, with burial to follow at Aledo Brown Cemetery, in Aledo, Texas. 

  *If you have something maroon or white - wear it.. If you don’t - keep it casual! 

  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Texas A& M Foundation / Memo: Big Event Endowment. Checks can be mailed to: 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840, or by searching online at Texas A&M Foundation - Big Event - In memory of.