Larry Dean Whitehead, age 77

Larry Dean Whitehead, age 77, of Sherwood, AR, died January 19, 2023, at Baptist Hospital in NLR, AR, of complications from covid pneumonia, exacerbated by a weakened immune system from recent cancer treatment that was in remission.

He was born in Augusta, AR on August 22, 1945 to George Clifton Whitehead and Mary Josephine O’Shields Whitehead.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Jimmy and Billy Joe Whitehead.  Survivors are his wife of 53 years, Judy Holder Whitehead, daughter Amanda Whitehead Hemphill (Darick) of Springfield, MO, sisters Carol Jean Garner(Cecil) of Bella Vista, AR and Vera Stallings of Highlands, TX,  and his pride and joy, grandchildren Harrison, Jackson and Bayta.  He’s also survived by many wonderful in-laws,  nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved him dearly.  He will be missed by his golfing buddy, Nick Manitzas, and his special brothers in law Wayne Allgood and Corky Cary.

Larry grew up in Augusta, AR and graduated from Laura Conner High School in 1963.  He attended ASU in Jonesboro, AR.  He was a Sergeant in the US Air Force during the Viet Nam War and was stationed at Okinawa, Japan as a radar technician.

He worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 34 years in the supply department where he rose to assistant warehouse manager. He had the friendship and respect from the people who worked with him.  He was a great boss and an all-around nice guy!

Throughout his life he enjoyed playing tennis, golf, attending high school and Razorback games.   The Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs were his favorite pro teams.  He took pride and delight in working in his yard which was filled with different varieties of flowers and plants. His knowledge of plants was amazing.  He had a natural green thumb. He enjoyed music of all eras, but his favorite was of the 50’s and 60’s.  He also enjoyed barbecuing, cooking on his grill, working on his computer, and making his famous Rum cake for family and friends.

In retirement, he and Judy enjoyed traveling with Gloria and Wayne Allgood in their RV seeing the United States.  They traveled extensively seeing the history and beauty of the country.

Larry was a member of Cabot United Methodist Church, and a regular TV watcher of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church when Covid hit.   He was associated with Epsilon Sigma Alpha, which is a service organization who raises funds for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and other worthwhile causes.  This was something close to his heart, because his grandson, Jackson, was successfully treated at St. Jude for leukemia.  He was voted Man of the Year several times for the NLR chapter of ESA.

No service is planned at this time.  A drop-in Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at the family home in Sherwood from 2-5pm.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or www.stjude.org.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com