Roy Dean Whiteley, age 81 of Ogallala, passed away Monday, March 11, 2013, at the Ogallala Community Hospital.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 14th at St. Luke’s Catholic Church with Fr. Bryan Ernest officiating.
Roy was born April 10, 1931 at Imperial, Nebraska, the son of Roy Albert and Helen M. (Cooper) Whiteley. He graduated from the Benkelman High School with the class of 1948. His parents farmed in the Parks and Benkelman area and after his graduation from high school Roy worked with wheat harvest crews going from Oklahoma to Canada. While cutting wheat east of Sturgis, SD the Korean Conflict started and he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and spent thirty months in Northwest Japan on isolated early warning sites. He served with the 511th AC&W Group.
On May 4, 1957 he married Ronnie Jenser at Denver, Colorado. He worked for Western Electric after his discharge from the Air Force and they traveled the Southwestern states for the company from New Mexico to California. They spent twelve years in Idaho before moving to Ogallala with their three children, Tom, Jerry and Teresa. Roy was employed by the Nebraska Department of Roads as a full time employee for twenty- two years and for seven years as a part time employee.
He loved the outdoors and was an avid amateur archeologist. Roy liked to hunt and fish and any outdoor activities and in his quiet times he enjoyed reading and writing. He enjoyed and was proud of his wife, Ronnie, his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include:
His wife, Ronnie Whiteley of Ogallala
Two sons, Tom Whiteley of Phoenix, AZ
Jerry and Toni Whiteley of Cottonwood, AZ
One daughter, Teresa Whiteley of Ogallala
Grandchildren, Tucker and Talon Whiteley, Ashley Hubbard and Christine Hubbard Reyna
One sister
Several nieces, nephews and cousins
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Don and Chester; and a sister Carmen.
Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Roy donated his body to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for medial research. A memorial has been established in his memory. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.