Jeffrey Whitson

Jeffrey Glen Whitson, 64, of Candler, NC passed away peacefully at the Asheville Solace Hospice Center on Thursday, August 1, 2019, in the loving arms of his wife and encircled in the comforting voices and soothing touches of his close family.  Jeff was born on June 25, 1955 in Vincennes, Indiana to Glen Ray Whitson and the late Jeanne Abshire Whitson Hanson.  He attended Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio and Vincennes Lincoln High School Class of 1973.  He joined the Army at age 17 and served two years, and then graduated from Indiana Business College with an accounting degree.

Jeff was larger than life, and he lived his life to the fullest.  He loved his wife, family and friends and has made an impact on multitudes of people all over the country.  He was the true sense of the word “entrepreneur” and his hard work and various businesses over the years gave him the opportunity to live in numerous cities and states.  He settled in Candler, NC in the early 1980’s and was still operating (along with his son) his successful business, Rooftop Construction Company, at the time of his passing.

Jeff loved music, especially Willie Nelson.  He was an annual, front-row attendee of Farm Aid and formed friendships there that became like family.  He loved live music, attended many shows, and had the unique opportunity of being taken by his father to his first concert, which was to see The Beatles.  Jeff also loved sports, especially the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Reds.  He loved to travel, and was finally able to visit his top Bucket List place, Paris, France, in 2017 with his wife, Terri, and it remained his favorite trip of all time.

Jeff and Terri met 3 years ago and just married in May, 2019.  Their love story was a fairy tale come true……becoming best friends and falling in love the instant they met.  Jeff referred to Terri as the “true love of my life finally” and Terri referred to Jeff as “the love who made me excited to wake up each and every morning to face the day together”.  Even though their years together were not as lengthy as they hoped for and planned, they lived more in 3 years than most couples live in 50 years.  They shared the love of music, travel and sunshine and loved every minute together.  Jeff’s second item on his Bucket List was achieved in June, 2019 when he and Terri purchased a snowbird home to spend the winters in Vero Beach, Florida, and he was grateful that he got to spend at least one winter in the warmth.

Jeff’s friends and loved ones are endless, and he considered many of them his extended family, including the groups of regulars at Papa’s and Beer/Candler and JJ’s Sports Bar & Grill/Vero Beach.  His loss will be felt in so many people, in so many places and in so many ways.

Jeff was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Jeanne and David Hanson, stepmother Mary L. Whitson, and wife Linda.  He is survived by his father and step-mother Glen and Mary C. Whitson of Vincennes, Indiana; wife, best friend and love of his life, Teresa (Terri) Cathey Drum Whitson of Candler, NC; devoted son, Raymond Whitson, and daughter-in-law Laura, and grandchildren Justice and Jeffrey Whitson, all of Candler, NC; son, Michael Whitson, and grandchildren Gabriel, Colby and Makayla Whitson, all of Vincennes, Indiana; step-son Arthur Annis (Yumiko) of Asheville, NC; step-daughter Beth Rice (Kelby) of Coalfield, Tennessee; 3 step-grandchildren (Ayano Annis, Archie Annis and Corben Rice); newly acquired step-sons and their families, Jason and Alisa Drum (Jaelen, Cara and Ali) of Asheville, NC; Matthew and Amanda Drum (Maxton and Mayer) of Gastonia, NC; and Aaron and Jennifer Drum (Kayleigh and Leyland) of Monroe, NC; his sister (and best friend) Gina Greenwood (Ted) of Dayton, Ohio; brothers David Whitson of Vincennes, Indiana, and Jason Cline (Jamie) of Fort Wayne, Indiana; sisters Babette Atkins (Chris) of Washington, Indiana; and Nona Baker (Jay) of Jasper, Indiana; special nephew Travis Greenwood (Allison) and special niece Mallory Greenwood, all of Denver, Colorado; 9 additional nieces and nephews; 2 newly acquired brothers-in-law, Bill Cathey of Washington, DC and Bobby Cathey of Richmond, Virginia; and a host of extended family and friends who loved him very much.

Per Jeff’s request, a Celebration of Life will be held in top fashion!  It is planned for Sunday, September 1, at 4:00 p.m.  The location and full details will be sent separately soon.