Rick Whitaker

December 7, 1963 - February 17, 2022

Rick Whitaker, 58, Johnson City, died Thursday, February 17, 2022, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, following a brief illness. Rick was a native and lifelong resident of Johnson City. He was a son Virgil Kyle Whitaker, Johnson City, and the late Chloice Gladine Carr Whitaker. Rick was the former owner and operator of Whitaker Roofing. He was a huge drag racing fan, and loved being at the drag strip. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George and Juanita Whitaker, his maternal grandparents, Ernest and Ida Mae Carr, four uncles and five aunts. In addition to his father, Rick is survived by his wife of thirty-two years, Melissa Whitaker; four children, Cynthia Whitaker and Ricky Whitaker, both of Johnson City, Daniel Whitaker and Caleb Whitaker (Nicole), all of Erwin; five brothers, Mike Whitaker (Tina), Telford, Jeff Whitaker, Johnson City, Tim Whitaker (Deana), Jonesborough, Todd Whitaker, Johnson City, and James Calloway (Jessica), Telford; eight grandchildren, Marcus Gregory, Madison Gregory, Devin Whitaker, Maylyn Whitaker, Angel Whitaker, Koreline Whitaker, Renee Whitaker and Amiah Whitaker; four great-grandchildren, including Bentley Gregory; several nieces and nephews, including special nieces Heather Jordan and Alexis Whitaker. It was Rick’s wishes to be cremated. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 2:00 P.M., at Glenwood Union Baptist Church, 172 Union Church Rd., Jonesborough, TN 37659. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. The family requests memorial donations be made in Rick’s name to either Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.