Thad Whiteaker 1930-2022
Thad Whiteaker walked into his Heavenly home on Dec. 20, 2022. He was reunited with his beloved wife Sue, son Randy, sisters Edna, Bernice and Norma, along with older brothers Tob, Bernard, Lecel, Dale, Hayes and Forrest “Ticket” Wallace.
Thad was born on Nov. 4, 1930, the eighth child of Henry and Addie Paralee (Hively) Whiteaker in Calico Rock, Ark. After the death of his mother when he was young, Thad and his siblings went to live with his grandparents and were raised by his oldest sister Edna with help from the older brothers. It was during this time that Thad learned the importance of always taking care of family.
After high school, Thad joined the Navy, where he served on the USS Compton during the Korean War and sent assistance back to help with the care of his younger sister Norma. When he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he joined the Naval Reserves, of which he was also honorably discharged. Thad then joined the Kansas Air National Guard, serving at Forbes Field in Topeka. For his combined 42 years of military service, Thad received the Meritorious Service Medal.
He attended the University of Arkansas at the urging of his brother Lecel, and it is there that he met his Sue. They were married on June 23, 1956, in St. Paul, Ark. Thad earned both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Arkansas. He began his teaching/coaching career in Freeman, Mo.
He moved to the Sabetha school district but spent most of his career in the Topeka USD 501 school district. Throughout his career Thad taught physical education, special education, helped start the USD 501 outdoor education program and helped with the TARC athletic programs. He also coached numerous sports at different levels.
When he retired from teaching and coaching, he worked as a bagger at Country Mart in Holton. He eventually settled into retirement to work on odd jobs around his home, the Whistle Farm. Thad cared for his wife Sue until her death in 2018.
Thad’s lessons will be remembered on this earth by his sons, Doug and Kenny; daughters-in-law, Denise, Debbie and Brenda; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with military honors will follow in Holton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holton VFW Post 1367, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
