Robert Whitaker

Surrounded by love, Robert Russell Whitaker, 77, earned the reward of a life well lived and returned to his Heavenly Father and his eternal sweetheart on January 3, 2012 in Cedar City, Utah. Russ was born January 11, 1934 to Earl Gilbert and Velma Capson Whitaker. He attended Ogden High School. He also attended Weber State, Colorado State, University of Utah and finished with his Doctorate of Education at Utah State University. Russ married Janet Sue Corlis on August 15, 1959. This union was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on August 19, 1965. Though Russ was an educator focusing much of his career on helping graduates through the post high school experience, his family knew, Dad can fix most anything. From coaching sports, Installing aluminum siding, to refereeing football to his pride and joy, the Davis County Ski School, where over a 50 year period he helped over 30,000 local youth learn to love the sport of skiing as much as he did. He was an entrepreneur at his greatest. Russ was proud of his 32 years in the United States Air Force Reserve where he served in Germany as well as a medic at Hill Air Force Base. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Russ was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings including an amazing activities committee chairman, high priest group leader, High Council member and served a full time mission to Hawaii with his eternal companion. Dad knew the value of hard work and a job well done. He loved passing on skills to others and played as hard as he worked. He who dies with the most toys wins was his motto but shared in his good fortune with all those around him. Russ leaves behind his five children, Kim Fleming, Centerville, Utah, Shelley (Rick) Cleveland, Cedar City, Utah, Russell Kris Whitaker, Kanab, Utah, Heidi (James) Redmond, Las Vegas, Nevada and Scott Richard Whitaker, Salt Lake City, Utah. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grand kids and will help usher one more into his family in February. He is also survived by his sisters, Barbara DeVault, Arizona and Joyce (Dale) Johnson, Roy. He is proceeded in death by his eternal sweetheart of 53 years, Janet Sue Corlis, his father, Earl Gilbert Whitaker, his mother, Velma Capson Whitaker and his brother, Richard Whitaker. A viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Farmington Mortuary, on Friday January 6, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Farmington Rock Church, 270 N Main Street, with a viewing before the services from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment in the Farmington City Cemetery.