
Ken Whitley
Kenneth Bruce Whitley, 79, has passed ’through the veil’ and on ‘to the spirit in the sky’ (as he phrased it).
He died in his sleep around 6:35am on January 4, 2018. He was at home with family around him. He was comfortable, peaceful, and not in evident pain.
Ken was born October 12, 1938 in Oakdale, Louisiana to Clyde Whitley and Bertha Whittington. He was the second of four children – Travis (deceased), Kenneth, Donald, and Linda.
He lettered in track and was a cheerleader at Oakdale High School, where he was voted ‘Mr. Tomahawk’ by the student body for exemplary school spirit.
Ken attended the University of Hawaii while in the Navy and, upon discharge, met his wife-to-be, Charlotte Elizabeth Gant, at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Very soon after their marriage, Kevin Boyd Whitley was born in Lake Charles – and 7 years after that, Jon Jay Whitley was born in Lake Jackson, Texas.
Ken finished his degree in Economics at the University of Houston and worked for Shell Oil Company in Louisiana and Texas for the next 30 years.
Ken and Shere moved to Marfa in the late 1990s where he was struck with a chronic case of poetry fever that saw him writing volumes of stories and lyrics through his last days.
He and Shere co-produced the KRTS radio show, Boogie Chillun’, that started back at the original pirate station on 100.1 called, Radio Free Marfa, which was run out of a transmitter built into a Craftsman Toolbox. Those illegal transmissions took place up the stairs and to the back above where Mirth is today.
Ken never met a person he didn’t already know and he enjoyed shaking hands with all who came through the colorful High Texas Plain community. The great majority enjoyed shaking his hand as well.
He is survived by his wife, Shere; two sons, Kevin and Jay; granddaughters, Honey Gay Whitley and Mia Lenore Clausen-Whitley; his nephews, (Travis’ kids) Mark, Howard, Elaina and their families; his brother, Don and his wife Pat and their son, Tye, and his family; and his sister Linda and her daughters, Allie, June and Rhonda and their families.
The Whitley Family would like to thank this sweet community for their continuing support, especially Mike Wallens and the fine people of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Don Culbertson P.A. and the kind folks at Marfa Country Clinic, and Dr. Rafael Escovar, et al, at Big Bend Regional Medical Center for their patience, persistence and compassion.
Ken was funny, irreverent, stubborn, sweet, and extremely gracious right up until the end, and he would appreciate it if those of us who are left would look in on Miss Sybil to make sure she is okay.
A Memorial Service and reception will be held at 4pm Sunday, January 21 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marfa, Texas. All are welcome.
Flowers are beautiful, and donations may be made in Ken’s name to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or the beneficiary of your choice.