Obituary
Vernard Whitaker, son of Ervin Whitaker, Jr. and Virginia Hall Burden was born in Letcher County, Kentucky June 24, 1958. He entered eternal life Thursday June 17, 1993 at Gordon, Kentucky being 34 years, 11 months, and 23 days of age at his passing.
Vernard was married to Laura Day Whitaker September 22,1979. He was vice-president of Childers Oil Company where he had been employed for over twenty years. He was a Deacon of the First Baptist Church and a member of the Whitesburg First Baptist Church Eolia Mission at Eolia, Ky. where he taught the Adult Sunday School Class. Vernard was a member of the Gideons, the Whitesburg Masonic Lodge No. 754, an instructor for the Pound Karate Club in Pound, Virginia, President of the Mountain Fliers Radio Control Club and was licensed as a private airplane and helicopter pilot for the past ten years.
He is survived by his wife, Laura Whitaker of Whitesburg, Kentucky; his father, Ervin Whitaker of Jenkins, Ky.; mother, Virginia Burden of New Paris, Ohio; two daughters; Deanna Kay Whitaker and-Savanna Rae Whitaker of Whitesburg, Ky., two sisters: Darlene Elswick of Columbus, Ohio and Robin Billiter of Shelbianna, Ky.; half-sister, Glori~ Jean Wright of Myra, Ky.; half-brother, Allen Wright of South Gate, Michigan.
Also surviving are a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Azure Tucker (Wright) (1994)
I was a karate student of Vernard's when he passed away. I have never known someone with so much zest for life and young people. I think of him often and miss him so very much. He was a great person and an awesome teacher. He and I almost had my mom talked into letting him teach me to fly. Vernard, one day I hope to soar through the skies with you......Mike Vanover (1976)
I didnt know Vernard until the 7th grade and we became close friends and then we found out that we were related to the Potters in Jenkins, So, we called ourselves half cousins. We played chess a lot during our lunch breaks in Mr. Cooks homeroom. We ate Halls cough drops like candy. We went to Pikeville together to take some college tests. We had a good time. I helped him and Mr. Cook build a porch on Opal and Stanley Gibson's trailer one year in McRoberts and Mr. Cook was surprised on how strong I was. During a break Vernard was showing me some karate moves and said thats karate. I tripped him and fell ontop of him with an elbow drop and said that was wrestling. Mr. Cook said Mike, please get off before you hurt him. It took me about two years after his death when I learned he had died. Laura thought I had already knew. I told her no one told me. I sure miss you my friend. Its hard to believe that its been 21 years since you left us.