Johnny Ray Whitaker

Johnny Ray Whitaker, 55, died on July 15, 2019 with his wife at his side, after a battle with cancer. John was born on May 28, 1964 to John R. Whitaker and Ruby Sue Hall (Mosley) in Louisiana, Missouri. John graduated from Louisiana High School in 1983 and went on to marry Alesia Dove Elliott on August 24, 1985. John was employed with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in the track maintenance division since 2006. John was a leader and a hard-worker that took pride in his work. On day one of his career with BNSF his brothers gave him the nickname “Boney.” John was a 22-year member of the Louisiana Elks Lodge No. 791. He was a member of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division Local 2621 where he served as President for 9 years and local chairman for 4 years. John was passionate about unions and brotherhood. He planned and held a fish fry annually for all local members. John served as Village of El Dara President and trustee for many years. John was an avid hunter who also enjoyed fishing, playing softball, watching sports, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a big St. Louis Cardinals and Blues fan who celebrated every victory including the 2019 Stanley Cup Champion. He enjoyed spending time outside tending his garden and mushroom hunting. Every fall, he looked forward to picking up pecans from his yard to give to his friends. During the winter, he would wait for a call from the Louisiana Girl Scouts to assist in decorating the town tree for the Winter Wonderland Parade. John would give the shirt off his back to help anybody. John held many positions of leadership and worked hard but would consider his greatest accomplishment seeing his nieces and nephews succeed. He loved life and enjoyed every minute, down to his last minute. He cherished his wife, family, and time spent with them. John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Dove; in-laws; Monroe and Sylvia Elliot; Kim (John) Benning; Robin (Jeff) Elmore; all of Louisiana, MO. Parents; Ruby Sue Hall; Clarksville, MO.; John R. (JoAnne) Whitaker, Louisiana, MO.; brothers; LaDon (Jennifer) Whitaker, Booneville, MO.; Scott Whitaker, Clarksville, MO; Michael (Susan) Whitaker, Louisiana, MO.; Steve (Julie) Hall, Kansas. Beloved nieces and nephews; Tyler Whitaker, Jefflyn Brown, Meghann (Daniel) Harrison, Hannah (Devan) Elmore, Dustin Brown, Brandon Brown, Lucas Whitaker, Johnny Benning, Kelsey Whitaker, and 9-great nieces and nephews. Close friends; Wayne and Jane Channell, Jeff, Diane, and Amanda Sencenbaugh, and Dave and Trista Stolte. He is preceded in death by; maternal grandparents; Ray (Alice) Mosley, Jack (Pearl) Dryden. Paternal grandparents; Richard Whitaker, Mildred (Lloyd) Griggs, sister; LaDana Whitaker, great uncle; Donald Whitaker. Services will be held on July 18, 2019 at Collier Funeral Home in Louisiana, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 11:00am-2:00pm with funeral services beginning at 2:00pm. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Louisiana, Missouri. Charitable donations may be made in John’s memory to the family.

Johnny Ray Whitaker

May 28, 1964 - July 15, 2019