Mr. Gerald Eugene “Gene” Whittaker, 72, of Duke Whittaker Road, Mocksville, died Thursday, March 31, 2016, at his home.

He was born Aug. 15, 1943, in Davie County to the late Duke LeGrand Whittaker and Jessie Reavis Whittaker Howell. He was a member of Blaise Baptist Church and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. A retired pilot, he enjoyed traveling to Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway and he never met a stranger.

He was also preceded in death by his brother, Roger Whittaker.

Survivors: his children, Todd Eugene Whittaker (Connie) of Charlotte, Scott LeGrand Whittaker (Julia) of Mocksville and Tara Whittaker Heady (Cameron) of Sparta, Tenn.; 6 grandchildren, Austin Whittaker, Solomon, Salem and Silas Whittaker and Piper and Tenley Heady; a sister, Betty Angell; a brother, Jimmy Whittaker (Retha), all of Mocksville; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted at 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 5 at Blaise Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Bear Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, at the church.

Memorials: Global Outreach International, PO Box 1, Tupelo, MS 38802; or Blaise Baptist Missionary Fund, 134 Blaise Church Road, Mocksville.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.