Mr. Jack Merlin Whitaker was born on May 24, 1916 in Longbranch, Texas and passed away at Pine Knoll Nursing and Rehab in Carrollton, Georgia on June 6, 2011. Jack was preceded in death by three brothers; Howard Whitaker, Douglas Whitaker, John Ed Whitaker; four sisters; Floyd Turlington, Faye Brown, Lois Frazier, and Nell Gruman; his wife, Mary Della Lee Whitaker and one son Dennis Merlin Whitaker. He is survived by his daughter Gloria Lee Whitaker-Mannis, his son Thomas Frank Whitaker, granddaughters, Sally Julyn Mannis-Banks, Claire Marie Whitaker, Annie Mae Wickham-Whitaker; grandsons Thomas Paxton Whitaker, great granddaughters, Kala Marie Glover, Ashley Brooke Glover, Lacie Nicole Banks, Marianna Whitaker, Patricie Whitaker, Susan Brianna Edwards, Jenna Leigh Whitaker, Sierra English Whitaker, Kaitlin Whitaker, Alivia Marie Whitaker, and great-great-grandson Colby Scott Ford. Jack was a decorated veteran of WWII having served in the United States Army 291st Signal Corps performing tours of duty in the Philipines Islands as a telecommunications officer under General Douglas McArthur. He served six years to the day, and was discharged as a Master Sergeant earning the American Defense Service, American Theatre Champaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, and Good Conduct Medals. Upon returning to the states he began working with the South Western States Telephone Company sparking a lifelong career in the communications industry where he worked hand in hand with individuals such as Roy Richards of Richards and Associates of the Southwire empire and founder of Silvey Enterprises, Aubrey Silvey. Jack was an old school Texan who graduated from Tatum High School. He started a cattle ranch, herding and driving cattle molding him into the man that the Army fit him to be. No doubt he is one of the very last of a dying breed. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 11 AM from Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel with Rev. Woodrow Hudson officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 4 PM until 8 PM. Messages of condolences may be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel of Carrollton has charge of the arrangements.