Claude Jr. "Butch" Whitaker

It is with profound sadness we share the passing of Claude Jr. “Butch” Whitaker, 80 yrs old, of Amarillo, TX on July 24, 2024.

Claude was born September 28, 1943 in Amarillo, TX to Claude Sr and Bertie Mae Whitaker. He married Barbara Ann Cunningham on March 1, 1963.

Claude Jr was a respected and well-known member of the community through his more than 60 years of water well service, Whitaker Well Service, serving the Agricultural industry that makes up the Texas Panhandle. Claude Jr started working on windmills when he was a child with his father, taking over Whitaker Well Service business in his older adulthood years and then later passing the business on to his son, Jeff Whitaker. He used the business to teach his sons and grandsons the value of hard work and the skills necessary to support a family and serve the community.

Claude thought the best way to spend time with friends and family was over a good meal. After deer season was over, Claude would host deer chili lunches in his barn. Everyone knew the sign to be true that hung over the old barn doors “My Barn, My Rules” and that if you ever showed up in a tie it would end up nailed to his wall next to the many heads of deer. He spent a lifetime creating community with his simple act of making a hot meal on a cold winter day, and many laughs were shared in his barn.

Claude loved the outdoors and getting back to nature through camping and hunting. He loved taking his kids and grandkids on these adventures and sharing these moments with great friends.

Claude began attending Second Baptist Church as a young adult. After asking his Sunday school teacher many questions, he was given a Bible and told to read through the book of John. Claude read the entire book in one night and after reading it with his wife, Barbara, they both gave their life to Jesus and were baptized together on that Easter Sunday. There is no doubt that when Claude entered heaven this morning, he was greeted with a hug and a “well done my good and faithful servant”. Claude spent the last 20 years of his life serving his church, Journey Church.

Claude loved many things, but there was almost nothing he loved more than teasing his wife, Barbara Ann. They met and fell in love when they were middle schoolers and spent 61 years of a marriage full of laughter, antics, hospitality, and building a family they are proud of. Their love stood the test of time, change, and disease, everyone around them has benefitted as a result of the love they shared. 

Together they had three children, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. They have spent their life letting us know how loved we are.

Claude was many things to many people. “Butch” to his family, “Daddy-Butch” to his grandchildren. He was a well-respected, well-loved man. He was everything a man was supposed to be to his family, his church, and his friends. Although it was never going to be long enough, we are thankful for the life we had with him, and we are thankful he is no longer suffering. We will all have to learn how to move forward in a life without his ornery demeanor and silly antics. Claude spent the last 6 months of his life in a memory care facility, The Reserve, who treated him with dignity and love until the end and we are grateful.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Bertie Mae Whitaker; and his sisters, Virginia Henderson, Helen Blake, and Bonnie Newman.

Claude is survived by his wife, Barbara Whitaker; son Jeff Whitaker (Leslie), daughter Stefanie Williams (Shaie), and son Jason Whitaker, sister, Linda Grey, grandchildren, Thad Whitaker (Kyra), Whitney Tarnutzer (Adam), Brittney Taylor (Hunter) of Amarillo, TX, Brandon Williams (Amy), Brayden Williams (Currie), and Brecken Williams; great grandchildren, Ellie and Asher Tarnutzer, and Julia Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, July 26, 2024 at Journey Church, 9711 FM 2186. Arrangements are made by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.