Obituary of Ray E. Whitaker

Ray E. Whitaker, 74, of Gastonia died Sunday, July 29, 2012 in a Gaston County Hospice center. A native of Gaston County, he was the son of the late Claude Edward and Lucy Long Whitaker. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was of the Baptist faith. He was a member of the Holland Memorial Lodge No. 668, A.F. and A.M. Masonic Lodge. He was a retired truck driver and was a pilot and instructor. He was preceded in death by one son, Bryan Whitaker and wife Debbie; one grandson, Josh Whitaker; and sister, Joan Acker. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Glenda Bradshaw Whitaker; three sons, Ray Whitaker, Jr. and wife Shannon, Bruce Whitaker, Glen Whitaker; two grandchildren, Eli and Clay Whitaker. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Josh Carpenter will officiate with burial in the Panther Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until noon Wednesday at the funeral home.