Ray Whitener

“The reason my wife was chosen is that she has experience dealing with fools and children. I fit in either group.” We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Ray Elmer Whitener (or Homer as his grandkids call him) during his 78 years, among them: I have been a car nut for 70+ years. I used to be a drag racer (retired), son drag races, Grandson #1 drag races, Grandson #2 will drag race (smart kid). ENOUGH SAID. Ray Elmer Whitener was born in Blooming Grove Texas on January 15, 1946, and he drag raced off into the sunset on September 16, 2024, in Corsicana, Texas. This was the second time he died. The first time, he managed to slip back in. His spirit was released from his worn-out shell of a body and now he is drag racing in Heaven. He has reconnected with his mother, Ruth Moore, father, Ralph E. Whitener, his other dad Sidney Moore, his sister, Linda Ruth Mershawn, and his brother, Don Whitener, and many other long-gone family and friends. He left behind his wife, Nita (Hot Stuff as he called her) of 56 years, children Amanda Carver and husband, Zack, Chris Whitener and wife, Jerri, grandsons, Mikey and Matthew Carver, nephew/son, Jon Mershawn, nieces Haley Whitener and Hillary Hutto, and great grandkids. He also left behind many adored friends and family. Ray served in the US Army in the Vietnam War. He began his career in the 70’s with Lone Star Gas (Atmos Energy) and retired in 2016. He loved fast cars, westerns, reading on his Kindle, dishing out jobs to his kids and grandkids and paying them for their services, giving to others, tinkering with everything, old music, whispering smart ass comments under his breath, and his biggest regret, his 1969 AMX. A celebration of life will be announced later. Cremation will take place, and his ashes will be spread by his family after they get tired of having him around. Everyone who remembers Ray knows what a kindred spirit he is. He will be missed by all who knew him. Instead of flowers, Ray would hope you will donate to the Navarro County Child Advocacy Center in his name. With that Ray leaves you with this, “Life is not measured by how many breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away (Nita and a 4-2peed 390 cu in a 69 AMX are two of mine).” and “If I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken life slower.”

Ray Whitener

January 15, 1946 - September 17, 2024