- Date Of Birth: January 11, 1940
- Date Of Death: March 16, 2011
- State: Alabama
Charles “Don” Whitener, 71, died at home in Huntsville, AL, Wednesday, March 16, 2011, after a year long illness.
Don was born in Lincolnton, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon Eugene and Bryte Blackburn Whitener of Brevard, NC, and one half sister, Marlene Whitener Laws . He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Martha Kimzey Whitener, two sons Kenneth and wife Beth, and David and wife Angie, and he was “Papa” to four granddaughters, Erin and Emmy Whitener and Lillie and Madeline Whitener all of Huntsville, AL. He is also survived by brother-in-law William Kimzey of Brevard, NC, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Don attended Valley Springs Elementary and graduated from Valley Springs High School in 1958 in Skyland, NC. Don graduated from Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. in 1963 with a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering. He also received a Masters Degree from Southeastern Institute of Technology in Huntsville in 1984. While in college Don worked at the Clemson college radio station, WSBF, and during the summers he worked for WPNF in Brevard, NC, as an announcer and engineer in training.
Don was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the US Army in 1964 and served three years on active duty at Redstone Arsenal, AL. The same year he married Martha Kimzey of Brevard, NC, and they moved to Huntsville, AL. After active military service Don worked for Missile and Space Intelligence Agency and after 35 years of service to this Country retired in 1996.
As a youth in Boy Scouts Don developed an interest in Amateur Radio and pursued that interest for many years earning an Amateur Extra Class Radio Operator License. Don was always interested in music and became interested in harmonicas, mountain dulcimers, and ukuleles after retirement. He learned to play and collected a number of instruments and had a large collection of sheet music and song books. Don also worked briefly at A.B. Stephens Music.
Don was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church, the Huntsville Amateur Radio Club, and ARRL, the national association for amateur radio. Don also volunteered for Friends of the Huntsville-Madison County Library’s used book store. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America and Little League Baseball while his sons were involved.
The family is so appreciative of Dr. James Kelling, Dr. Gregory Pollack, and Dr.Quinten Black in Western NC; the doctors, nurses, and staff at Clearview Cancer Institute, Huntsville; and of Family Hospice Care, for all of their patience, caring, support, and compassion.
