January 26, 1943 – May 19, 2025

Jerry W. Whitton, born in the Whitton community on January 26, 1943, left this earth on May 19, 2025, from his home where he was cared for.

A life well lived, much loved and cherished, he is leaving a hole in our hearts and a void in so many places as he moved from the arms of his family to those of his maker.

Jerry graduated from high school and later attended college for a short period of time. He joined the Army National Guard of Texas where he served for a total of six years.

In 1966, he joined the Dallas Police Department and retired in 1989 to build our dream home in East Texas. Jerry was a dedicated and well-liked police offi cer who enjoyed his work, but his real talents came out after retirement.

He designed and built our home in the Whitton Community on the property settled by his great-grandfather so many years ago.

The house was big enough to welcome relatives from overseas, their children and their offsprings. He, in turn, visited relatives throughout Europe.

Even as a young boy, Jerry’s creative talents came to life. He was forever curious to know how things worked. He took apart many toys just to explore the inside and put them back together.

He copied and built wooden toys and mechanical things. He later took apart engines and mechanisms, often making a part he needed to fix objects when parts were no longer available or too expensive.

He taught himself and created lead-glass pictures, beautiful iron objects, perfect copies of planes carefully crafted to be hung from ceilings, and an iron staircase for our home just to name a few. Once he perfected one talent, he moved on to another.

His love for family and friends was closely followed by his love for all animals, especially dogs. From early childhood on, he always had animals he’d rescued and nursed back to health.

He cherished his family and friends, and while he preferred staying close to home, he appeased his wife and friends and participated in wonderful travels with close friends throughout the USA and Europe.

A big man with a huge heart, solid as a rock, loving and kind, and totally unaware of how special he was. Our hearts are broken. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorene and George Whitton, and his first wife, Joy.

He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 43 years Mia Sullivan; stepchildren: Patrick and wife, Joelle Sullivan; and Katherine and husband, Mackenzie Bechtel-Hall.

Grandchildren: Brandon, Robby, Hollister, Elli, Piper and Willow, and sister, Joann Dover, and nephews and nieces.

His loving in-law family from all over Germany, South Africa and Monaco held prayerful vigils in the past few weeks. They mourn his passing and miss him greatly!

A special thanks to Dr. Marc Usrey and staff for their care and never-ending attempts to secure much-needed medications from insurance companies.

Special thanks to Vanessa G. of Hospice for her tireless care and loving attendance along with other team members.

Jerry’s Memorial will be at the St. Therese Catholic Church in Canton will be held on Thursday, June 19 at 10:30 a.m. Fellowship and lunch at the same location at noon Your prayers are much appreciated. If you wish to honor him with a donation, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the SPCA or the St. Therese Catholic Church Building Fund.