Clark Whiting, a beloved father, gifted educator, and widely known as
the best grandpa in the world, passed away May 11, 2021. Born in Amy,
Kansas on June 1, 1926, to Lyda and Ira Whiting, he learned to love
school at an early age and became a teacher after his time in the
infantry during World War II.
He married Betty Jean Whiting in August of 1948 and they had four
beautiful children. Clark and Betty treasured the time they spent
involved in their children's academic and sports extracurriculars.
Clark believed in the power of education in people's lives and worked to
support countless students throughout his tenure as a principal in
Dighton and superintendent in Little River and Newton. Clark Whiting had
an impressive resume, but his greatest legacy was the kindness he
showed to each and every person in his path.
He was an avid genealogist and would even help other people research
connections within their own family trees and ancestry. Clark
volunteered his time as a Volunteer Tax Assistant and as a member of the
Lions Club. He was also very involved in his faith community and served
as the president of the Sunday school. His lifelong commitment to the
St. Louis Cardinals created a legacy of "Cards fans" in his children and
grandchildren. He was a skilled tennis player, staying active in local
games until he was 88.
In his later years, when he wasn't enjoying a bag of Fritos or teaching a
grandchild how to play tennis, he could be found admiring the fireflies
outside his window. He appreciated all the beauty in his life, in big
and small ways.
Clark is survived by his four children Susan, Carol, Kevin, and Julie,
children-in-law Elaina, Jim, and John, and grandchildren Andrea and
Michelle.
Memorial Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 15, 2021 at the United Methodist Church, Dighton, Kansas.
The service will be on Facebook Live on the Garnand Funeral Home
facebooks page.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clark and Betty Whiting Scholarship Fund c/o Newton U.S.D. 373, 308 E. 1st Street, Newton Kansas 67114.