WHATLEY, Jon Edward

WHATLEY, MORAIN, WALKER, CORL, BERBERICH, HIXON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/2/2016 at 08:29:13

Obituary ~ Jon Edward Whatley
April 30, 1955 - January 02, 2016

Jon Edward Whatley, 60, of Lamoni, Iowa, died peacefully at home on the afternoon of January 2, 2016. His transition into the open arms, open heart and open mind of God was attended by the healing love energies of his wife, Charlotte, daughter, Robin Whatley, and good friends, Bill and Sherry Morain. Born April 30, 1955, in Norman, Oklahoma, he is survived by his wife, Charlotte Walker Corl Whatley, daughter Robin Whatley and son-in-law, Jeremy Berberich, stepson, Drew Corl, father, Dickey E. Whatley, mother, Jonna (Hixon) Whatley, and sister, Nan Whatley.

Jon was involved in theater since his teens. He claimed to have developed an interest in the artistic effects of light by watching the color wheel patterns on his grandmother's aluminum Christmas tree in the 1960's. He was always fascinated with the technical aspects of theater but sometimes participated on the stage by acting in community theaters and operas where he commanded a wide range of talents in comedic and dramatic roles with a resonant bass voice. He was a memorable Wizard in the Fort Collins Children's Theater production of The Wizard of Oz.

Jon had a fascination for the "behind the scenes" theatrical technical work. He was a brilliant lighting designer. As a facility director for the Texas Tech University Student Center, The Colorado State University Lory Student Center, the Fort Collins Lincoln Center, the Des Moines Playhouse, and the Graceland University Shaw Center for the Performing Arts, he consistently shared his knowledge, expertise and high standards of work ethics in the training of his crewmembers. Many of his former staff have gone on to have successful theater careers where they now pay it forward by instructing their own trainees with the high standards of the "Whatley Way".

Jon was a beloved and generous friend, contemplative yet outgoing, talented, hard working, cantankerous, outrageously funny, smart, capable, flawed but honest, a good teacher, always supportive, romantic, and tender hearted. He selflessly shared his home, heart, and intellect.

In his spare time, Jon enjoyed gourmet cooking and watching sports. His true passion was golf. He was on cloud nine the day he made a hole in one on the Lamoni Golf course, January 19, 2015.

Jon was not a "one in a million" guy; he was a "one in 7 billion." There will never be another like him. His presence on this earthly plane is sorely missed not only by his friends and family, but also the audience members who sense the loss of his artistic vision.

A memorial service will be held at the Shaw Performing Arts Center in Lamoni, Iowa, date and time to be announced. There will also be a celebratory "Jonfire" (bonfire and potluck) in Northern Colorado on Saturday, May 28, Memorial Day Weekend.

The Jon Whatley Memorial Fund has been established in his honor at the Bank of the West in Lamoni, Iowa. Online donors may contribute through GoFundMe.com.

SOURCE: sladefuneralhome.com/webcast/36723

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2016

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