John Henry Whatley

John Henry Whatley, 86, passed away Monday January 17, 2022 in Azle. Service: 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 22, 2022 at White's Azle Chapel. Visitation: 6 to 8 P.M. Friday, January 21, 2022 at White's Azle Funeral Home Interment: 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Eastland Cemetery in Eastland, Texas John Henry Whatley was born May 17, 1935, in Eastland, Texas, the first child born to J. C. Whatley and Evelyn (Skinner) Whatley After graduating from high school, he went to Cisco Junior College, graduated, then attended Mc Murray College in Abilene where he completed his junior year studying business administration and finance. John met, and later married on December 27, 1967, Joyce “Gayle” Hussey/Hall who had a daughter, Kelli Leigh, born April 23, 1963. They were blessed with a blended family. John had two children from a previous marriage, Jan Colleen, born June 17, 1957, and Joel Wayne, born July 6, 1956. The family actively water-skied, camped out, picnicked, and every year went on vacation during the summer. Those family vacations and the sharing of activities were enjoyed by the entire family. Later, John and Gayle took their grandchildren on vacations that included Gayle’s cabin on Palo Pinto Lake and many day trips to local museums and attractions. They were truly blessed with arrival of Grandchildren Erin (and Bobby) Majors, Lindsey (and Nickole) Day, Jason (and Karla) Whatley, Kevin Rash, Justin Rash, Shelly (and Nicholas) Smithson, Julia Dougher, Philip Dougher and 13 Great grandchildren. He and Gayle were members of the Lake Worth Sailing Club, where he was also elected Commodore from 1981-85. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, serving as Flight Director from 1984-85, and later served the Mid-America Air Group Big Red One, and as President from 1986-88. He worked and flew with the Confederate Air Force, held an ATF high explosive license, and was Explosive Ordnance Detachment Group Leader from 1997-2001. After a Group Leader passes away, an engraved plaque with their name will be placed in the Memorial Garden located at the Headquarters of the Confederate Air Force. An FAA Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument, Multi-engine, High Performance and Seaplane ratings, John joined the Confederate Air Force in 1980 and was fortunate enough to be able to fly a World War II trainer in demonstration flights, a Fairchild PT 23 in many air shows. John’s design work took him to Israel for one of his clients. During the time there, he visited Jerusalem and Bethlehem. He was overwhelmed when he walked on the stones Christ had walked on and had rested his hand on the place that Christ had placed His hand. He appreciated the “hometown” he grew up in, the parents, teachers, Scout Leaders, coaches, Sunday school teachers, and all the people in town who would take the time and effort to scold, guide, suggest, and keep you on the right track. He often said that Lou Gehrig was wrong, and that “he, John, was the luckiest person who ever lived” because of when, where, and the time period that he had been born. He was often surprised to find that truth, honesty, fairness, and “right” are relative terms and that we do not all share the same values, goals and perspectives. He would not have changed anything in his life. His favorite prayer is one that is over 4000 years old by King David, and is the 23rd Psalm, which addresses the metamorphosis of death, and was his favorite passage in the Bible. It not only dealt with Death, but also with Faith. “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thy art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’’ Amen