IN Memoriam: KENNETH JACK WHITNEY

From: The Columbian - Jan 22, 2004

Kenneth Jack Whitney died early Thursday morning on January 15th, 2004. He was 71. He was a loving husband, wonderful father of four and a proud grandfather of two. He was also very close to his brother and a beloved Uncle. Ken taught hundreds of students during his 30-years tenure as a teacher at the Washington School for the Deaf. He was deeply involved with the community, and belonged to various organizations and clubs. He was a generous contributor to charitable causes and made donations in memories of others.

Those of us who knew this wonderful man all share the grief of his passing. Ken was born into a Deaf family and he himself was Deaf. He was born October 3rd, 1932 to Raymond and Minnie Whitney who have predeceased him. He is survived by an older brother, Don, and an older sister, Rena. When his family moved to Washington State, he attended the Washington School for the Deaf until he graduated in 1951. After his graduation, he attended Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. where he met his first wife, Aletha. Ken and Aletha were married for nearly 40 years until her death in 1994. He graduated from Gallaudet and continued his education at Lewis and Clark College where he earned his masters in Deaf education.

Ken was well-known for his kindness, sense of humor, and had a strong sense of family. He enjoyed numerous hobbies throughout his lifetime and was exceptionally skilled at woodworking. He was involved in sports both as a participant and a spectator. He helped coach several different sports and his teaching role did not stop outside of the classroom. He enjoyed cross-country skiing, golf, bowling, rafting, hiking and even snorkeling. He loved to travel, whether it would be in an old station wagon or a comfortable RV trekking across the highways.

Ken was a widower for nine years and recently remarried in the spring of 2003 to Beverly in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

He is survived by his siblings, Donald of Longview and Rena of California, his wife Beverly of Vancouver, his children and their spouses & children; Rod, Jane & Cassie of California, Darlene, Carl & Owen of Tacoma, Josi & Troy of Beaver Creek, Oregon, and Rick, Pamela & Alleya of Vancouver.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 24th in Lloyd Auditorium at the Washington School for the Deaf.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kenneth Whitney Scholarship fund. Donations can be sent to WSD, in care of Rick Whitney, 611 Grand Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661 or at any Clark County School Employees Credit Union.

Copyright © 2004 by The Columbian Publishing Co. P.O. Box 180, Vancouver, WA 98666.