ARLINGTON — Keith Lee Whitley, 46, passed away September 21, 2011, at his home in Arlington. A celebration of Keith’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m., October 8, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church Chapel, 800 W. 5th St., Fort Worth, Texas, 76102. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Partners Together for Health, 2500 Circle Dr., Suite 300, Fort Worth, Texas, 76119. Keith was born March 12, 1965, in Wichita Falls, Texas. A quiet and loving child, he nonetheless had a mischievous streak and delighted in teasing his two siblings. The family moved to Fort Worth and Keith, a true Texan, lived and worked in the greater Fort Worth area the rest of his life. Keith married Juanita “Nita” Crager, arriving at the ceremony with his beloved bride-to-be in a horse-drawn carriage. He was overjoyed at the birth of their daughter, Kayla Michelle Whitley, two years later. Keith loved the outdoors and was passionate about personal fitness. Drawing on his strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, he founded a lawn-care business and would sometimes allow his young daughter to accompany him in his work. She was, he joked, one of his best workers … though he still made time to help her rescue frogs. Always devoted to his family, Keith often prepared the family meals and became an outstanding cook. He had a natural talent with animals and, despite his outward reserve, was known to tuck his pets into bed at night. An avid sports fan, he loved the Dallas Cowboys — even when they were losing. When they scored, his whoops and hollers could approach dangerous decibel levels. His generous heart, creative intellect, and easy humor are deeply missed. Keith is survived by Nita Crager Whitley, Kayla Michelle Whitley, parents Claude and Evelyn Whitley, grandmother Juanita Hodges, sister Julie Whitley Schuessler, brother-in-law Randy Schuessler, nephew David Matthew Schuessler, sister-in-law Jennifer Dowdell Whitley, father- and mother-in-law Sam and Rose Mary Crager, sister-in-law Rhonda Crager Coble, and sister-in-law Rose Crager Robinson. He was preceded in death by grandfather Dr. Claude Hodges, grandparents Claude and Anna Lee Whitley, and brother David Matthews Whitley.
9 Responses
Evelyn and Claude,
God is often bringing you to mind & all I know to do is pray He’ll comfort you in the midst of this. I am deeply sorry.
Thank you for the great picture & obiturary. I haven’t seen Keith since he had Huddles and Fang in the underground sandbox in your backyard. That little kid grew into a very handsome man. I think mom mentioned his daughter is studying the same thing one of my girls is. I love ya’ll – Tawni
I am so sorry for the loss of this beloved person in your life. You are in my thoughts every day.
What picture reminds one of him. We will miss him dearly.
Ann and R.L.
To Keith Whitley’s Family:
Dear Ones: This is a beautiful Celebration of Keith’s Life. Having been a friend of the family from it’s very beginning, I can say with humor and love, Keith leaves many good memories, and some great stories, from his childhood to his death. He will be mourned; missed in days and years to come, and remembered in the hearts and minds of many. May we all be blessed to have moments in the future when something will remind us of Keith Whitley’s wonderful smile and bring a smile to us. God Bless You Keith and The Family that will soon Celebrate Your Life.
Keith was agreat Friend and will be missed. We went through many good times in all through School and After. Summers with our tight Knit group of Friends I will never forget. Times Fishing at the lake
or just hanging out at the park when we were to young to drive. Keith was always one to crack a joke. Summers working at Long john Silvers with barely enough money to get by, but we always able to come up with enough to put gas in the car and go to the Lake parties. I am very sorry for your lose
I had no idea Keith was in such ill health till recently. I would have been at the Funeral. But I lost an Uncle the same day and had to go out of town.
“I wish I had been there to pay my respects ” God Bless You… Keith’s good freind always
David Adams
I would also like to extend my condolences to the family for David
Whitley I was unaware he had passed.
My deepest sympathies.
Ebby and Claude,
I remember Keith from when he was a little boy. I spent the weekend with you and slept in his other twin bed. He was a very darling child and grew into a handsome man. My heart goes out to you, Kayla and Nita. Just remember the good times.
Claude,
Oh behalf off all the members of the Office of Emergency Management, and all the RACES members you have served with over the years, I wish to express our deepest sympathies and condolences.
We all hope to out-live our children, but sometimes God has other plans which we are not privy to.
Remember the good times and be at peace.
Gerry
Claude and Evelyn,
Albertine and I send our deepest sympathy. We know how to relate to your loss since we lost a son in 1974.
With God’s help I know you will find comfort. God Bless You Both and Keith’s family.
Walt & Albertine WA5JIJ