Charles Ray Whitham of Leoti Kansas, 87, died Monday, April 25 2016, at Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. He was born March 21, 1929 in Liberal Kansas, the son of Ray Charles Whitham and Mabel Marie Garvin Whitham.
He was a 1947 graduate of Scott Community High School and a 1952 graduate of the University of Kansas. Charles served in the USAF as a pilot from 1953 to 1962 where he rose to the rank of Captain. He and his family returned to Kansas to begin a long and varied career in agriculture with his company, Western Seed & Supply in Leoti, KS.
Charles was an active community member and served in many capacities in the Leoti Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, Wichita County School Board, and the Wichita Co. Hospital Board. He was also a proud member of the University of Kansas Alumni Association, and represented his wholesale bean business as a Lifetime Member of the Rocky Mountain Bean Dealers Association and President of the Kansas Seed Dealers Association.
Charles is survived by his wife, Waneta Joann Conine Whitham, whom he married on May 24, 1954 and enjoyed 61 years of marriage. Other survivors include: their children, Kendall Whitham Sirkis (Robert), Dothan, AL, Julie Whitham Diehl, Larkspur, CO, Bradley Charles Whitham (Diane), Leoti, KS and Shawn Whitham Peters, Dothan, AL; eleven grandchildren: Matt Diehl (Kelly), Audrey Diehl Critz (Jeremy), David Sirkis (Lauren), Jeffrey Sirkis, Rubie Peters, Aaron Peters, Greta Peters, Savannah Peters, Teneille Whitham, Anna Leigh Whitham and Dane Whitham. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Bruce Whitham, Frank Whitham, sister, Corinne Whitham Krebs and two infant grandsons, Kaleb Stoner Peters and Bradley Dale Whitham.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Leoti United Methodist Church, 111 South Wyoming, Leoti, KS, with Reverend Brad Kirk and Reverend Paul McNall presiding. A military graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, KS.
Should friends care to make a donation in his name, the family asks that memorials be made to the Wichita Co. Volunteer EMT Service, Wichita Co. Fire Department, or the Wichita Co. Amusement Association.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas.
