Thomas C. Whitaker

Southern Shores, NC – On Tuesday July 29, 2008, Thomas C. Whitaker died at the family residence after a battle with pancreatic cancer.  Tom was born in Staunton, Virginia March 3, 1932.  He was the son of the late Clarence B. Whitaker and Iva Hall Whitaker.

After graduating from Fishburne Military Academy, Tom entered Randolph Macon College.  He left Randolph Macon to honorably serve his country in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956.  Following his military service, Tom married Suzanne Young.  He graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in business in 1960.  Tom went on to run the family business of Whitaker Oil Company and founded a second company, Diverse Construction, both located in Waynesboro, Virginia.  Tom and Suzanne retired to the Outer Banks of North Carolina where Tom became an avid tennis player and enjoyed the ocean.

Left to cherish the memory of Thomas Whitaker are his devoted wife of 50 years, Suzanne Whitaker; two sons Thomas Y. Whitaker and daughter-in-law Julie Cholish of Portsmouth, Virginia and Todd G. Whitaker and daughter-in-law Julie of Barboursville, Virginia; and four grandsons Zachary, Cole, Pierce and Luke. A first cousin Grayson H. Via and his wife Gail also survive him.

There will be a celebration of life for Thomas C. Whitaker at the Outer Banks Presbyterian Church in Kill Devil Hills on Friday August 1, 2008 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.  The Rev. Dr. Andrew P. Martinez will officiate.  The family will greet friends at a reception following the service.  Interment will be private at the Augusta Memorial Park in Waynesboro, Virginia at a later date. Memorial donations honoring Tom may be made to Dare Home Health and Hospice at 109 Exeter Street, Manteo, North Carolina 27954 and/or The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at 2141 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 7000, El Segundo, California 90245.  Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with local arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.