Clark Whiting
1926 - 2021
Clark Whiting, a beloved father, gifted
educator, and widely known as the best grandpa in the world, passed
away May 11, 2021. Born in Amy, Kansas on June 1, 1926 to Lyda and
Ira Whiting, he learned to love school at an early age and became a
teacher after his time in the infantry during World War II.
He married Betty Jean Whiting in August
of 1948 and they had four beautiful children. Clark and Betty
treasured the time they spent involved in their children's academic
and sports extracurriculars.
Clark believed in the power of
education in people's lives and worked to support countless students
throughout his tenure as a principal in Dighton and superintendent in
Little River and Newton. Clark Whiting had an impressive resume, but
his greatest legacy was the kindness he showed to each and every
person in his path.
He was an avid genealogist and would
even help other people research connections within their own family
trees and ancestry. Clark volunteered his time as a Volunteer Tax
Assistant and as a member of the Lions Club. He was also very
involved in his faith community and served as the president of the
Sunday school. His lifelong commitment to the St. Louis Cardinals
created a legacy of "Cards fans" in his children and
grandchildren. He was a skilled tennis player, staying active in
local games until he was 88.
In his later years, when he wasn't
enjoying a bag of Fritos or teaching a grandchild how to play tennis,
he could be found admiring the fireflies outside his window. He
appreciated all the beauty in his life, in big and small ways.
Clark is survived by his four children,
Susan, Carol, Kevin, and Julie, children-in-law Elaina, Jim, and
John, and grandchildren, Andrea and Michelle.
Memorial Services were held at 10:30
a.m. Saturday, May 15, 2021 at the United Methodist Church, Dighton,
Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to the Clark and Betty Whiting Scholarship Fund, c/o Newton
U.S.D. 373, 308 E. 1st Street, Newton Kansas 67114.
