John Whiteley

(From Nelson Funeral Home)

John Kevin Whiteley of Green Forest, Arkansas was born on December 2, 1958, in Huntsville, Arkansas to Henry Clay and Clara Maxine (Phillips) Whiteley. Kevin passed away surrounded by family Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the age of 64.

Kevin was a member of the Oneness Church of God in Denver, AR, where he was a deacon, helped with different teaching opportunities, and contributed to the music by picking at a mandolin. He was a devout Christian who loved his church and considered its members his family.

Kevin and Eunice were married in June of 1979 and started the marriage off with a very memorable shivaree. At the time, Kevin worked at Green Forest Lumber and then later at Powell Farms. The young couple spent most of their free time running around with friends, traveling, tent camping at the lake, elk hunting in Colorado, and enjoying ice cold Mountain Dews from Bonhams Texaco.

He started his career at Empire Pump Service in the late 1980’s. Spending 35 years with the company allowed him to become well known throughout the Ozarks and he was often referred to as “the pump man”. His coworkers, old and new, quickly became his extended family and fast friends which meant that there was always room for them at his dinner table, on his fishing trips or even a family vacations.

Fatherhood started for Kevin in March of 1985 with the birth of his daughter, Kara. This created a memorable moment because for the first time in his adult life Kevin shaved off all his facial hair because he was afraid to rub his “who who’s” on his baby. To this day, only Eunice has any recollection of ever seeing his upper lip. In June of 1990, his son Kalin was born. This was also the year that the family moved into their current home that Kevin and his father, Clay, built on Hwy 311.

Kevin was an amazing father and loved his children dearly. He showed his love by giving the best “horsey rides”, teaching them the important things like how they should eat popcorn with a slice of cheese, and coaching their ball teams. He took them on many adventures such as camping, trail riding, hunting, fishing and instilled in them a love for the mountains. His love for his kids extended right into his role as PaPa when, first, his granddaughter Merritt arrived and then later, his grandson Lochlan. 

Kevin was born to fill the role of being a grandparent. He often joked about the family all moving in together because, like it or not, he was going to be checking in on those kids about every day. He rarely missed a day without at least making a phone call to check on his grandbabies and he never missed a babysitting opportunity, recital, game, birthday or any event that his grandbabies participated in, even once it became almost impossible for him to walk on his own, he wasn’t going to miss it. Heartbreakingly, missing out on watching them grow up was his biggest regret and his deepest sadness in the acceptance of his diagnosis. He often said his grandbabies were as mesmerizing as “watching a campfire” and would spend hours watching and playing with them.

Kevin was a kind, quiet, and witty man who did not waste words and easily commanded your attention when he spoke. He believed in helping others whenever he could and was rarely seen without a smile. He was the kind of man that you could talk to about your deepest thoughts and worries but you knew it would be held in high regard and with the strictest of confidence. He was a deep thinker who always had big dreams, most of those somehow involved being in the mountains. 

He hated humidity and complained about it every Summer when it started to climb. He loved an ice-cold mountain dew and anything that would satiate his sweet tooth, as well as being on a perpetual quest to find the perfect hamburger. He was quick in his wit and often made up poems and songs on the fly that had everyone cackling. 

He loved a good “Kevinism” such as “don’t eat yellow snow” or “you don’t take sand to the beach” but was also very thoughtful and serious in his words of wisdom. He spent a lot of his time calling the Hogs and even more of his time griping about them. He loved a good hike through the Rockies, scouting for elk and taking in the scenic landscapes. He dreamt daily of retiring to the mountains where he would feel the cool breeze and listen to it as it shuddered through the Quakies. But most of all, Kevin Whiteley loved the Lord, his family, and his friends.

Kevin is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Eunice Terherst Whiteley, who survives him of the home, daughter Kara Arnold and husband Travis of Harrison, Arkansas, son Kalin Whiteley of Green Forest, Arkansas, grandchildren Merritt Arnold and Lochlan Arnold, sister Debbie White and husband Richard of Joplin, Missouri, several other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Henry Clay and Clara Maxine Whiteley.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 16, 2023, at Nelson’s Green Forest Chapel. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Green Forest First Assembly of God Church. Interment will follow at Denver Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to nelsonfuneral.com.