Son of Jamie M. & Ruby Lee Davis Whitaker
Born January 19, 1928 in Sebring, FL; passed away September 30, 2009 in Lake Placid, FL.
Pre-deceased by his mother and father (above), his sister Jamie Lee Edge (& her husband Alfred "Bud" Edge), his brother Jerry T. Whitaker, and his youngest son Jene M "Little Jene" Whitaker, who was killed in a boating accident in 1999.
Survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Doris Endicott Whitaker of Lake Placid; son Dennis Whitaker (Mildred) of Quincy, FL; daughter Belinda Greer; daughter Cathy Bays; and son Robert O. Whitaker (Betty) all of Lake Placid. Also, 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Also numerous sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Jean was born and raised in Sebring. He grew up in a construction family and was working with his dad and mom at a very young age. After Jean would get out of school he would help unload rock from railroad freight cars with shovels onto a dump truck which his mother drove. He did many other construction jobs without the benefit of modern machinery.
As time went on, when they could afford different pieces of machinery, they were added and Jean could operate and repair them all when needed.
Jean moved to Lake Placid and started his own business while staying connected with the J.M. Whitaker & Son business.
He played an active role in the development of Highlands County, did a lot of land clearing and development, built roads and was active in all phases of a growing community.
He paved many of the streets around the county as well as areas of Tampa, Naples, Ft. Myers, Venice, and even paved some parts of the FL Turnpike. He prepared oil well exploratory drilling sites around the state for various oil companies.
He employed as many as 100 people at one time with crews going in all directions from the Lake Placid base.
He loved flying his Cherokee 6 airplane and used it to check on his jobs and to run for parts to keep his equipment running. He sold it because his eyes were not good and always missed it.
He was a Highlands County Commissioner from 1967 to 1971.
Jean touched a lot of lives and left his mark on the Central FL area.
Besides flying, his hobby was work. He loved what he did and did it well. He was always active and said many times that he didn't ever want to retire.
Jean loved his large family, his large church family and the Lord.
He will be greatly missed. . Family will receive friends from 2-3 PM Saturday, October 3, 2009 with Funeral Service following at 3 PM at The First Baptist Church of Placid Lakes, 116 Cleveland Ave., Placid Lakes, with Pastor Darryl George officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lake Placid, FL. Arrangements entrusted to the Scott Funeral Home, Lake Placid, 465-4134