Visitation with the family begins at 1:00 PM, followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM Saturday February 3, 2018 at Central Baptist Church in Marshall, Texas on South Washington Ave. Arrangements by Downs Funeral Home.

John Edd Whitaker II, 72 years of age, joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while surrounded by family, on Friday January 26, 2018. John was born March 25, 1945 in Marshall, Texas to the union of Dapha Sanders Whitaker and John Edd Whitaker. John attended Marshall High School, graduating in 1963. In 1965 he began his 21 year drafting career with Fabsteel, which meant relocating his family numerous times. He married Brenda Joyce Minatrea September 21, 1966, enjoying 51 years together.

John was preceded in death by both parents and his in-laws, OJ and Mattie Lou Lloyd Minatrea. Survivors include daughter, Traci N. Whitaker Davis, her husband Eddie, and step grandson Duston; son, Jon Keith Whitaker, his wife Kimberly, and grandchildren, Maddox and Nixon; half-sister, Karen Grubb Morgan and her family; one special aunt he thought of as his second mom, Joyce Lumpkin; and many special cousins, nieces, and nephews. Also left to cherish his memory are some dear friends that were as close as brothers.

In 1971 John began participating in Sports Car Club of America racing, which he dearly loved. His family joined him as he traveled from one state to another pursing this passion. In August 1977 he won a race during a downpour preventing him from seeing what was in front of him. Although he thoroughly enjoyed his passion for racing, he discontinued this hobby, keeping his family his top priority.

Never one to sit still for too long, John took up many interests and activities including building a Bradley GT II kit car, golfing,  and landscaping projects in his yard,  quickly learning what happens when you burn poison ivy. His love of, and eye for photography came in handy on race days and at Keith's soccer games. When he moved his family to Evansville, Indiana, they lived in Newburgh near the Ohio River where his family enjoyed Thunder on the Ohio, the national hydroplane boat races held there every year.

A subsequent move to Shreveport, Louisiana led to his involvement with coaching youth soccer. John coached several teams and was a charter officer of CABOSA (Caddo Bossier Soccer Association) where he, along with a few board members, created the rules and regulations that combined two separate groups into one successful venture for the children to enjoy. He served as president of CABOSA for the first year after its inception.

Finally, John left Fabsteel, moving back to Marshall to help his step-dad Jesse Grubb Jr. in 1985, assuming position as General Manager of Grubb Pottery until its closing in 2015. During his thirty years in Marshall he took a bigger interest in his hobbies, of which he admitted possibly having too many. John's passion for cars continued. Crossing off owning a Shelby Mustang GT from his bucket list brought him much enjoyment as well as participating in Mustang car shows during his retirement. He attended as many NASCAR races as he could and enjoyed collecting NASCAR memorabilia. He enjoyed camping out at the track on race weekends and making his ''fall off the bone ribs'' for everyone to enjoy. John had quite the imagination and possessed amazing artistic talents. He loved to rebuild, repurpose, and refinish old furniture or create pieces from scratch. His love of landscaping yielded projects such as a stone retaining wall in his yard and a fire-pit to roast marshmallows with his grandchildren. John was an avid model builder, enjoyed creating original Mandala prints to color, and making mixed media paintings and artwork. He enjoyed leading a men's Sunday school class at Central Baptist Church for 16 years and held a genuine love for all of the members. He was an avid reader and had an obsession with WW II history. John loved God and his country, holding a high respect for all who served in the military. John was also responsible for being the first business to participate in the revitalization of the Weismann Center in downtown Marshall, helping write the by-laws for the Weismann co-op.

In 1998, John was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, with his first grandchild due in the months to come. He hoped and prayed God would allow him the opportunity to enjoy and watch his grandchildren grow. God's grace afforded him 20 extra years with his family, allowing him to watch his grandchildren, the joy of his life, grow into young adults. His fight was long and courageous, and John was always truly thankful to God.

The family extends a special thanks to his caretakers, Nova, Lori, and Vanessa at Marshall Hospice; DR. K. Nirmal from TXO in Longview and all the sweet and loving staff there; and to the Joy class of Central Baptist Church for their continuous support during his illness.