WHITLEY, John A. Lt Col (retired), passed away peacefully on December 1, 2017. John was born March 4, 1947 in West Point, GA. and devoted 31 years of service to his country in the USAF. He is a Vietnam veteran and received the Bronze Star for his leadership during Operation Desert Storm. John is survived by his wife of 50 years, Penny Rosselle Whitley; four children: John Whitley III (Elizabeth) of Knoxville, TN, Julie Apel (Jeremy) of Austin, TX, Tony Whitley (Selena) of Warner Robins, GA, and Stephen Whitley (Andrea) of Marana, AZ., as well as 17 beloved grandchildren; his brother, Julius Whitley of Griffin, GA.; and sisters, Juanita Diane Jordan, Jean Spears, and Ann Shaw of Lakeland, FL.
John was preceded in death by
son, Jed Whitley; brothers: Doug Whitley, Charles Whitley, and Robbie Sinclair; and parents, Juanita and Willard Sinclair. Services will be held Friday, December 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Barrier Chapel at Casas Church, 10801 N. La Cholla Blvd., Oro Valley, AZ 85742. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the El Rio Community Health Center Foundation, 839 West Congress Tucson, AZ 85745 or elrio.org/donate Arrangements are being handled by EVERGREEN MORTUARY CEMETERY.