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Jon E. Whitaker

Jon Whitaker Obituary

TEMPLE, GA. - Jon E. Whitaker died in a helicopter crash Dec. 6th, 2013 while crop dusting in Sebring, Fla. Jon was charismatic, strong willed, fiercely independent and compassionate. He often made us laugh and sometimes cry but always made us feel loved and he will be forever missed. For those of us who had the privilege to know and love Jon we find some comfort knowing Jon left us while doing something he loved with his whole heart. Flying was his life! Jon was an excellent pilot with over 20 years of experience and was highly regarded nationally in the agricultural industry. He first learned to crop dust in the banana fields in Costa Rica and later flew off fishing boats out of Guam and Papua New Guinea spotting tuna. He also logged for Columbia Helicopters in Alaska and Oregon. His flying was not limited to industry as he piloted a helicopter off one of the largest yachts in the world while it traveled through the Mexican Rivera and Caribbean. But nothing thrilled him as much as agricultural spraying. He thrived on the challenge and precision that this work demanded. Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Eva Whitaker. A "Celebration of Life" will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday Feb. 8th, 2014 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Port Angeles, Wash. Pastor Patrick Lovejoy will be presiding. To request a memorial CD please call or text 425-345-2449. "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." Leonardo Da Vinci.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lake Okeechobee News and SouthCentralLife.com on Jan. 11, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Jon Whitaker

27 Entries

Joy

December 17, 2015

Jonny, another Christmas is almost here. They are not the same with out you. I have sooo many good memories of past Christmases,I miss how much you loved this time of year. The holidays were always special, but somehow you made them even more special with your laugh and your positive energy, you are missed so much. Thank you for those memories Jonny, I will never ever forget them ....." aye aye captain!"

January 29, 2015

Jonny, more than a year has passed since you left us. Soon this obituary will be gone, but you will be anything but forgotten. We all miss you dearly, every day. I have come to realize that in such a huge way you were my hero, ever since we were little kids....I remember crying and wanting "my Jonny". Ruth made it into the Navy, I wish you could tell her how proud of her you are. tho so much time has passed since your departure, the pain of losing you, not hearing your laugh, not seeing your smile, does not get better. I hope the flying is beautiful where you are and I hope you know how truly loved and missed you are. I guess its so long for now on this page Jonny, I will look forward to our conversations when I look at the sky, and to those moments in time when I need an answer or encouragement and I hear your voice. I love you big brother, and you're still my hero.

Love, Joy

Kathy

October 17, 2014

Hey Jonny. Joy and I were at the Oregon coast last weekend. Joy played some phone messages that she had saved from you. It was great to here your voice. We cried, we laughed but most of all we thought of you and how lucky we were to have such a wonderful brother. We miss you. We love you and we can't quit asking Why! Fly safe "bow rider".

October 16, 2014

Jonny, i miss you so much. All of us miss you. It is still unimaginable that you are not here anymore, I wish I could turn back time and somehow make it so that we could stand around and laugh together again. All the memories will remain for a lifetime and I look forward to seeing you and hearing your laugh again someday, and I know jimmy and kathy feel the same. God bless you Jon, and thankyou for being my very loved brother. I love you.

Mike Lau

May 8, 2014

I will miss you "bow rider"! A part of me has gone with your passing.

April 2, 2014

remembering

March 14, 2014

Its been over two months since the accident. I still find it so hard to believe you won't be coming home. I love you Jon.
For those of his friends who would like a copy of his memorial DVD please contact me at 425-345-2449. This is Kathy, his sister.

Jessie Ayling

March 12, 2014

Jon,
Your yachting family will always remember you, and I have such fond funny memories. I will always remember your pep talks to me. My thoughts are with your family

February 12, 2014

Michael Nixon

January 29, 2014

I was blessed over the last few years to spend time with Jon as he did forestry spraying for us. I had the opportunity to meet his brother when he came down and helped out a couple of years back. Jon was very meticulous in his work always expecting the best of himself and those he worked with. I learned a lot about Jon as we spent many hours waiting for the wind to lay or the clouds to blow over. Jon was well respected in the industry and loved by many. My deepest sympathies to Jon's family and to all of the others that lost a true friend.

January 19, 2014

January 18, 2014

Thinking of you

January 17, 2014

All our children spent many hours playing together and having such fun times. Jon was always a joy to be around and we so enjoyed hearing him laugh. We aren't able to attend the memorial but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May the Lord hold you in the palm of his hand and bring you peace.

Aunt Sheila and Uncle Pete Heineck

January 16, 2014

We miss you uncle jonny

Ruth Bigham

January 14, 2014

Hi uncle Jonny,
I miss you..we all do alot
You get to see grandma now, sure that makes you and her happy.
I love you so much and I'll miss you even more..

Bev Dunigan

January 14, 2014

I am so very sorry for your loss. I remember Jon as a funny kid, always making all of us laugh.

I send thoughts of love and peace to all of you.

Renae Heineck

January 14, 2014

I only met Jon once - Thanksgiving 1999 at his cousin Jackie's house. I remember laughing with him, but I don't remember what was so funny. I recall playing cards with him and Jon giving my nephews a bad time. I remember listening to what he did and thinking....I like this guys sense of adventure. I hear stories of the Whitaker kids growing up across the street from the Heineck's and that makes me smile. Evie was a delight to be around especially when her sister Kathy was there and I watched them interact and love on each other while trying to put Ed in his place. I'm blessed to part of a special family.

Steve and I will be coming to Jon's service and pray that grief and pain of a loss so great soon passes. I truly understand how you feel.

Katherine Gallagher

January 13, 2014

You were an amazing man...who lived life to the fullest! However brief..you touched my life and I will never forget you.

Jodi loson

January 13, 2014

So sorry for your loss. I remember Jon as always happy and with an infectious laugh. I did a photo shoot for him once, and if you like to see or have some of them let me know. My email [email protected]

Tracy Heineck

January 13, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of grieving. May God hold your hearts in his hands and ease your suffering.

joy horner

January 13, 2014

Jonny,Thankyou for your smiles and your laugh that would light up a home. Thankyou for your never ending love and support and your example of bravery and fearlessness. I also look to the skies to see your face and hear your laugh. I do now, and will forever miss you and your entire being. Fly high brother, I love you endlessly.

Joy horner

January 13, 2014

Thankyou for being my brother. Thankyou for the laughter and smiles that would full a room. Thankyou for so many words of wisdom and encouragement. Thankyou for the endless love you never stopped giving. Thankyou for the example of bravery and fearlessness. In the quiet of the night I look up at the sky to talk to you, and in the wind I hear your voice. The echo of your laugh will forever be with me, I will never forget the sound. Ii miss you dear brother....I will keep looking up. I love you.

Joy horner

January 13, 2014

Thankyou for being my brother. Thankyou for the laughter and smiles that would fill a room. Thankyou for so many words of wisdom and encouragement. Thankyou for the endless love you never stopped giving. Thankyou for the example of bravery and fearlessness. In the quiet of the night I look up at the sky to talk to you, and in the wind I hear your voice. The echo of your laugh will forever be with me, I will never forget the sound. Ii miss you dear brother....I will keep looking up. I love you.

Joy horner

January 13, 2014

Al, Betty & Jeff Harrow

January 12, 2014

Dear Kathy, Joy, James, Michael and Families,
May God bless you during this time of sorrow. We send our heartfelt sympathy to each of you.
May your grief soon be replaced by wonderful memories of the life you shared with your beloved brother. Through your memories he will always remain with us.
May you find strength in Our Savior during this most difficult time.

January 12, 2014

It can be so hard to face the new year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.

Kathy Bateman

January 12, 2014

I will be forever grateful that you were my brother. You taught me about life. Lessons I will carry with me the rest of my days. When I am afraid you will remind me to be fearless. I will keep my friends close and my enemies closer. I miss you and love you so very much. I know your soul is in the sky and when I look up I see your face and hear your laugh. Thank-you for being my brother and sharing your life with me.

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