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.