Dates
A lifelong educator, provider, and adventurer, Ken Whitley died peacefully on January 31st, 2024 at Shannon Hospital. Ken taught English for 35 years and had an extraordinary way with words. He also had the foresight to write his own obituary, and it follows:
"I, C. Kenneth Whitley was born in December of 1946 and was adopted at birth by Charles C. and Ethel O. Whitley of Llano, Texas. I attended and graduated from Llano High School, then moved to San Marcos, graduating from Southwest Texas State University in 1971. I taught in Houston for two years and Mertzon for three more. After those five great years, I was offered the job at Lake View High School in San Angelo, which would be my beloved home for 30 years, sharing a little time with Central High School . After retirement, I returned as an ELL tutor for the next twelve years. I cannot thank my students enough for making all of those years so exciting and so much fun.
"Having been married and divorced, I was lucky enough for a beautiful divorcee to move in next door in the late 80's. We dated for a couple of years, and I proposed while we were on vacation in Cabo San Lucas. We married in October of 1991.
"I had the good fortune to live an action-filled life outdoors, whether it was tuna fishing in Cabo, salmon fishing in Alaska, scuba diving in the Virgin Islands, partying with my wife and sons in Puerto Vallarta, or hunting with my friends in West Texas. My greatest joy was in sharing my adventures with those I loved.
"I've always said that I started out adulthood with a small family, and am now blessed with more family than I could have hoped for. I am preceded in death by my father, Charles, and my mother, Ethel, and will be survived by my wife, Donna and my stepsons Doug and John. I love them more than I can express, I'm also survived by my brother, Mickey, my sister-in-law Karen, my nephew, two nieces, several first cousins in Belton, and countless exchange students. I've loved each of them with all my heart, and he hoped that I did a good enough job letting them know that.
"There's no reason to hold a service in my honor. In lieu of a memorial or flowers, please donate to Meals for the Elderly or the Women's and Children's Shelter.
"I've lived a great life, and have lived it longer than I thought I would."
Ken will be severely missed by his loving and grateful family. In honor of his wishes, official memorial services will not be held, but his family encourages all who loved him to celebrate his life in a way of their choosing.