P.D. Whitaker

Pherman Dallas Whitaker, 87, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Thursday, November 11, 2010 at a Chattanooga healthcare facility surrounded by his loving family. Born in Crawford County, Missouri on July 3, 1923, he was the son of the late Pleasant R. Whitaker and Pearl L. Whitaker. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maxine M. Whitaker; their sons David R. Whitaker of Cleveland and Robert K. Whitaker of Milwaukee, WI; his two granddaughters, Bethany Joy Davis of Nashville and Amanda Hope Beaty of Cleveland; and four loving great-granddaughters. He attended school in Rock Hill, MO where he returned in 1945 from four years service in the U.S. Marine Corps. His war-time experience was entirely in the Pacific where he was part of the U.S. forces' "island hopping" campaigns. Notably he was last stationed aboard the battleship, U.S. Missouri, where he witnessed, at close-hand, the signing of the peace-treaty with Japan. In April of 1946 he married his childhood acquaintance, Maxine M. Davis, and in the early 1950's they both established an insurance agency which grew, by 1960, to include 44 branch offices in the Missouri counties west of St. Louis. In 1964 the couple, with their two sons, moved to Jacksonville, FL where Pherman gained employment in management within the automotive industry from which he retired in 1986. In that year Pherman and Maxine moved to Bradley County and became active members of Westwood Baptist Church where he has served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Pherman also was an active Gideon, holding office in his local Camp. His joy was telling people about the Gospel, and he played an active role in Chaplain Service to the Bradley County Justice Center. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 15, 2010 at Westwood Baptist Church with the Reverends Steve Smartt and Jimmy Caywood officiating. Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors. Jack Roach, Nathan Davis, Brandon Beaty, John Thomason, Doug Biller and Raymund Brown will serve as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. The family will receive friends from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday at Fike Funeral Home and from 9:30-10:00 a.m. at the church prior to the service. It was his request that any donations be made to the building fund at Westwood Baptist Church, 4001 Georgetown Rd. Cleveland, TN 37312. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Whitaker family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.