Mr. Donald Thomas Whitney, age 86, a resident of Washington, died Sunday, July 2, 2017 at his home.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, July 6, 2017 at the First Christian Church in Washington, conducted Rev. Carol Steffa. Burial with military rites will follow at Oakdale Cemetery.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Bryan Jarvis, William Alligood III, Thomas Alligood, Bruce Gates, Cameron Crisp and Herman Grissom.

Mr. Whitney was born January 2, 1931, the son of the late James Rufus and Mary Baart Whitney, in Rochester, N.Y.

As a child living in New York State, Donald and his brother were smart at finding ways to earn money, like trapping wild game to sell the furs. He was always willing to work, even as a child, and passed on a legacy to his grandsons of hard work and being intuitive.

Donald proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Hawaii, Norfolk and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He met and married the love of his life on May 16, 1951, a “Southern Sweetheart” as he called her, Janice Ann Gibbs, while on leave from the Navy. He was smitten by “the way she carried herself” the first time he saw her. He knew immediately that he wanted to marry her. Faithfully, he cared for her when she was affected by Alzheimer’s Disease for the last eight years of her life. She passed away at age 68 years old. They were married for 51 years. Now he is reunited with her in heaven.

Donald was a sales representative and manager for Home Security Life Insurance, later known as Peoples Security, then Monumental Life, for over 37 years, and people recognized him by his yellow Volkswagen that he drove. He worked several years for Moore Ford/Mercury as a salesman and handyman.

He knew almost everyone in Beaufort County, as he never met a stranger, and could make a conversation easily with anyone he met. He loved comic strips and would laugh out loud at them.

Donald was a jack-of-all-trades, and master carpenter, making wooden stocks and forearms for firearms for many people in surrounding counties. He made detailed airplanes from a block of wood for all his grandsons, great-grands, as well as great-nephews and friends, as long as his health permitted.

He was a dedicated to donating blood to the Red Cross and once was the Beaufort County Chairman. He gave nine gallons.

He was an avid hunter and member of the Meadow Branch Hunting Club, and loved to fish Hyde County waters.

Donald was an active member of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and taught the Men’s Bible Class and Willing Workers Class for 40 years. He served in the capacity of Deacon and Elder for many years. He loved to sing hymns and loved to listen to Hawaiian music.

Donald loved his extended family, both his and his wife’s, feeling a closeness to both, and they all loved and admired him. He never failed to send his love to the Grands.

Donald’s health was declining and most recently he was a victim of cancer, which took his life.

His family is forever grateful for the loving care given by Tara Cooper, Shelby Muse, Debbie Davis, Mary Carter, Theresa Taylor and Michelle Everett.

He is survived by his loving family, who miss him greatly, daughters, Phyllis Whitney Jarvis and husband, Billy of Bath, Mary Ann Whitney Alligood, and husband, Bill Mac of Washington; grandsons, Bryan Jarvis, Todd Jarvis, William Alligood III and wife, Katherine, Thomas Alligood and fiancé, Mary Margaret Fowle; and great-grandchildren, Abby Jarvis, Zachary Jarvis, William Alligood IV (Liam) and special friend, Shelby Muse.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Donald was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth Whitney Hutchinson; and three brothers, Rufus Whitney, James Whitney and Leon Whitney, all of whom lived in New York State.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington and other times at the home.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Memorial Garden of First Christian Church, 307 East 3rd Street, Washington, N.C. 27889.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Whitney family.