Carl Ray Whitney

Carl Ray Whitney, 83, of Cottonwood passed away Thursday, June 7. He was born November 4, 1929, just outside of Tabor, IA to Lee and Wilma (Gard) Whitney. Carl attended school through graduation in Tabor, while trucking with his father. After graduating, he went on the road, traveling with the big bands as a professional musician. After returning home, he re-connected with and married Joyce Ann Campell. Done on the road, Carl then worked for 17 years with Goodyear and Firestone, before striking out on his own, first as a grocer and the as a motel owner/operator in New Mexico, at one time being honored with the title \u0027Business Man of the Year\u0027. Carl has attended Christian Church since 1949 and has held several leadership roles within the church. He was a professional musician, a woodworker, and a silversmith, featuring work with turquoise. Carl loved the Lord and his family and he was a tireless worker. Carl was preceded in death by both his parents. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joyce Ann Whitney of Cottonwood, AZ; his sons, Michael (Laurie) Whitney and Robert (Heidi) Whitney, both of Colorado; his sisters, Margaret (Herman) Varenhorst of Iowa and Carolyn (Clint) Hays of Colorado; 34 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 3605 E Zalesky Road in Cottonwood, on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 10 am. Memorial contributions in his name may be offered to the VV Christian Church Building Fund, 406 S. 6th St. Cottonwood, AZ 86326. A memorial guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com