Harold Dean Whitaker, age 82 of Humboldt, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at Overland Park. He was born on Nov. 15, 1936, in Neosho County, Kansas, the son of Harold W. and Ruby N. (Munson) Whitaker.
Dean graduated from Humboldt High School in 1954. Upon graduation he attended Kansas State University for two years. In 1956 he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in the 77th Special Forces as a Green Beret Airborne Ranger. He was also a medic and communications specialist. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1959. Upon returning home from the Army he attended Missouri Auction School, becoming a cattle auctioneer for the next 20 years while also farming and raising cattle.
In 1961, Dean married Betty Sue Clements.
Dean is survived by his wife, Betty Sue Whitaker; daughter Marsha Pearish and husband Doug; son Curtis Dean Whitaker; four grandchildren: Angela Wall and husband Travis, Andrew Dean Whitaker, Tarryn Young, Grayson Earl Pearish; and four great-grandchildren: Mason Young, Rowdy Johnson, and Colten and Wyatt Wall.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents.
Cremation has been requested. A visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Countryside Funeral Home Humboldt Chapel, 908 Central. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at First Baptist Church in Humboldt. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Memorials have been suggested to St. Judes Children Research Hospital and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Services have been entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home 908 Central, Humboldt, KS 66748.
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