Gerald D. Whitaker, 84

Gerald D. Whitaker, 84, of Mt. Sterling, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, after a life full of generosity, laughter and hard work.
Born Aug. 18, 1940, in Hope, he was the son of the late Delmas and Aldean Gibbs Whitaker.  He had four siblings whom he adored, Margie Botkin, Edward Whitaker, Wanda Purvis and Earl Ray Whitaker.  Their family was rooted in farming and their Christian faith.  After his graduation from Camargo High School, he worked as a farmer and drywall contractor throughout Eastern Kentucky.  He also served in the Army reserves from 1964 to 1976.  He married Carolyn McNay in 1968. During their 55 year marriage they had three children, Christy, Mary and Elizabeth.  They would have celebrated 56 years on December 21. He also touched the lives of countless children in his 23 year tenure teaching children’s church at the First Church of God and volunteering with Montgomery County 4-H.  He openly spoke about his faith and lived his life on biblical principles.  He loved his church family at the First Church of God and especially the Heritage group.  He truly enjoyed being at church in service and volunteered many times, lending his talents to a variety of projects.  He was a United States Army veteran and retired from drywall in 2012, but never truly retired at all.  He continued to work on his farm in Hope and all around his house as he was physically able.  He loved keeping a clean farm, building, gardening and tending to his roses that he daily brought to Carolyn in the summer.  He took a trip to Peru in the winter of 1984 that changed his life.  He built a church, spent time with local Peruvians and visited Machu Picchu.  He had a servant heart and frequently visited people with buckets of tomatoes, potatoes and other things he grew.  He remembered everyone’s birthday and everyone’s name.  He was also known for giving many people nicknames that stuck with them for life.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Carolyn; daughters, Christy Harris (John), Mary Crockett (Jerry) and Elizabeth Caudill (Aaron); grandchildren, Andrew (Savannah), Catherine, Emily and Jack (Anna Rose), Clay, Caroline, Del and Anna; two great-grandchildren, Whitley (two and a half) and Palmer (six weeks); a brother, Earl (Carolyn); and a sister, Wanda.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Margie; and a brother, Edward.
Service will be conducted at 12 noon, Friday, Nov. 8 at the First Church of God with Pastor David Dooley officiating.  Visitation will be 10 a.m.-12 noon, Friday.  Burial will be in Machpelah Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the First Church of God Children’s Ministry where he spent 23 years singing and letting children know about the love of Christ.
Pallbearers will be Aaron Caudill, John Harris, Del Caudill, Greg Whitaker, Steve Whitaker, Doug Whitaker and Donnie Whitaker
Guestbook available at www.coffmanfuneral.com.
Arrangements under the direct care of Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.