Robert Ronald Whitlock's Obituary
The funeral service for Mr. Robert Ronald Whitlock, 80, of Camp Hill, will be Saturday, May 10, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Langley Funeral Home. Rev. Wayne Barrett and Dr. Judson Jones will lead the service. Burial will follow in the County Line Baptist Church Cemetery in Camp Hill. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 9, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Langley Funeral Home.
Mr. Whitlock passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at his residence after a period of declining health. Born on March 23, 1934, in Lanett, Alabama to Robert Luther Whitlock and Mary Thelma Slaughter Whitlock, he soon distinguished himself as a leader. Captain of the football team and class president at Lanett High School, Mr. Whitlock, recruited by Shug Jordan, went on to win a football scholarship to Auburn University, where he majored in music and participated in Army ROTC.
He honed his leadership and musical skills by leading youth groups and serving as music director at various churches while he attended Auburn and then Clemson University, completing his Masters’ Degree in English Education. Upon graduation, he led young people in the classroom and on the field, serving as an English and music teacher as well as a football coach, youth leader and music director in Crestview, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama.
After entering the army in 1967, Mr. Whitlock rose to the rank of Major and served with distinction overseas in Korea and then in Vietnam, being awarded 2 Oversea Bars, the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Army Commendation Medal.
Following an honorable discharge in 1972, Mr. Whitlock continued to lead as an outstanding educator, serving as headmaster for Augusta Christian School before returning for further education at Oral Roberts University, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Ministry. Following graduation, Mr. Whitlock, an ordained Baptist minister, acted as a representative for Oral Roberts University, offering help and spiritual guidance to partners of the ministry throughout the Southeast. After leaving the service of the university, Mr. Whitlock returned to teaching in the East Alabama area.
Continuing to work well into retirement years, Mr. Whitlock’s spiritual leadership was a perpetual hallmark of his life. Not only was he an author and bible teacher on the radio and TV, but he also volunteered at Harvest Evangelism in Opelika and was active at his church, County Line Baptist in Dudleyville.
A devoted and loving son, husband, father, brother and friend, Mr. Whitlock’s life represents the very essence of servant leadership, bringing to fruition the words of President John Quincy Adams: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
Robert Ronald Whitlock is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Jeanenne Dabbs Whitlock of Camp Hill; daughter, Mary Katherine Winkler (John) of Fletcher, NC; sons, Dr. Jonathan Mark Whitlock (Dr. Bettina) of Nagold, Germany and Robert Gordon Whitlock of Camp Hill; son-in-law, Donald Dalenberg of Augusta, GA; grandchildren, Hannah Jane Winkler of Fletcher, NC, Timothy Mattias Whitlock, Tabea Ann Whitlock and Ruben Christopher Whitlock, all of Nagold, Germany; and brother, Donald E. Whitlock (Linda) of LaGrange, GA.
He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Ronda Jean Dalenberg.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be given to County Line Baptist Church, 1504 County Road 107, LaFayette, AL 36862; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675; Hospice Advantage, 110 Calhoun Street, Suite 200, Alexander City, AL 35010 or the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.
Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.langleyfuneralhome.com.
Langley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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