With sadness we share the news of the death of the Rev. Dr. Howard W. “Doc” Whitaker, 71, on January 26, 2025 of leukemia.
He served as Priest-in-Charge at the former St. Thomas, Vernon from 2013-2016, after which he served as supply clergy. Read his full obituary.
He is survived by his wife and business partner, Kay Elaine Hamrick; two children from his first marriage, Ben Whitaker and Eva Whitaker, and their mother, Rosalie Smith Whitaker; a sister, Cheryl Whitaker McFarland; grandchildren; and a host of former clients, patients, and parishioners.
In lieu of memorial gifts, and citing the Gospel of Luke, Doc’s suggestion would be for people to “for forth go and do likewise.”
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Howard to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
