Richard (Rick) Whitehead joined his Father in Heaven on April 3, 2024. He was born on September 16, 1944 to Howard (Bud) and Betty Whitehead in Kenedy, Texas.

Rick was raised in Sweeny, Texas. After graduating from Sweeny High School, he went on to study at Wharton County Junior College and Texas A&M University, where he was a member of Squadron 2 in the Corps of Cadets. In 1966, he met Gayle Shuptrine, and they were married one year later.

His business career in design engineering spanned 40 years in Houston, Baton Rouge and Matagorda County. In 1985, he happily returned to his hometown of Sweeny to raise his family. Rick was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sweeny where he enjoyed serving alongside a family of fine Christians in the Texas Baptist Men and Sweeny United.

Rick was husband of more than 56 years to Gayle and Dad to Elizabeth Everage (husband, Jason) of Katy, Texas and Benjamin Whitehead (wife, Kate) of Alexandria, Virginia. He was Papa to Aidan and Rowan Whitehead and Joshua Charles Everage.

Rick loved home. His home was where his family, his relationships, and his devotion could be found. He was dedicated to his family's comfort and happiness. He was a selfless father and friend. He personified the concepts of service and responsibility in a way that defied definition. He displayed love through sacrificial acts that demonstrated a bond, rather than an obligation. He quietly and consistently revealed what he valued through acts that were unlauded and often unacknowledged. He never sought praise or appreciation, but instead only appeared fulfilled when others were content. Rick did these things for his home, his family and his community.

Rick will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. We mourn his current absence, but not his death. He has been granted a rest that he would not have accepted in life, and he has been gifted a peace and joy that we could not provide him. He is survived in the memories of his wife and children and the lessons taught to his grandchildren. Rick is home.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 11, at 11 am at First Baptist Church of Sweeny, 402 North Main Street, Sweeny, Texas. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 10 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to - Nantz National Alzheimer Center

Houston Methodist Hospital

PO Box 4384

Houston, TX 77210-4384

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