Rodney Whitaker

Rodney Duane Whitaker, 64, passed away on March 5, 2022. Rodney was born December 17, 1957 to Barbara Malson of Denver, Colorado.

Rodney grew up in the Denver area and attended Abraham Lincoln High School where he played football and was on the track team. Rodney graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1976 where he also met his wife Janet, and they went on to marry on April 30, 1977. Rodney joined the United States Marine Corp in 1976 and went on to become an Aircraft Hydraulic Mechanic where we has stationed at Cherry Point Naval Station North Carolina. He was assigned to a Harrier Squadron VMA 231 where he worked on Fighter Jets that had the Ace of Spade emblem on them, which he thought "was pretty cool". He was able to travel with the squadron to see other parts of the world which he thought was a once in a lifetime opportunity for him.

After Rodney's tour, he decided to change career paths and in 1983 he started to work for Public Service Company of Colorado as a Truck Driver. He started in the Lineman Apprentice Program where he then broke out to be a Journeyman Lineman in which he was very proud to be as he stated, "This is the greatest job ever" as he loved to be working outside. Rodney retired from Xcel Energy in 2018 after 35 years of service.

Rodney loved being outside most of the time. He enjoyed camping and sitting by the fire, listening to music, and drinking a beer or more. He also enjoyed fishing, even though he didn't like "fish at all". He liked to try his hand at gardening, and golfing even when he had a bad game. He loved Rock and Roll, and the Denver Broncos.

Rodney also loved his family immensely. He loved and cherished his grandkids so much, he said they were the "light of his life".

Rodney is survived by his wife, Janet; his daughter, Courteney (Marcelino); his son, Matthew (Katie); his mother, Barbara; sister, Ronda; grandchildren, Mercedes, Madison, Brayden, Mikayla, and Bryce. His sisters-in-law, Charlotte and Agnes; and brother-in-law, Larry; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A Shelter Service will be held for Rodney where he will receive Military Honors, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 2:30pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please meet at Staging Area B no later than 2:15pm. A reception will follow at "The Peak" Foothills Park and Recreation Center at 6612 South Ward Street, Littleton, Colorado 80217, which is located just south of Bowles and Simms.

Please leave memories and condolences for Rodney by signing the tribute wall.