Rex Whitaker

Rex Staley Whitaker
October 4, 1942 – September 1, 2015

Rex Staley Whitaker, 72, of Waco, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at his home surrounded by family. After having fought a lengthy and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, he was called to his heavenly home by the Lord.

The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at Western Heights Baptist Church located at 6301 Bosque Blvd. in Waco, followed by a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco. The funeral services will be conducted by Reverend Bruce Worley, Reverend Ramiro Pena, and Dr. Robert Mawire. A visitation will be held at OakCrest Funeral Home located at 4520 Bosque Blvd. in Waco from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Rex was born October 4, 1942, in Jacksonville, Texas, to Rex D. and Lucy Helen Whitaker. As a child, he and his family moved to Waco where he attended Waco Schools. After graduating from University High School in 1960, he attended Baylor University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1965 followed by a Juris Doctorate degree in 1969. He married his wife, Marilyn Smith Whitaker, on December 20, 1963.

Rex practiced law with Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, LLP, for over 40 years before retiring as a senior partner to practice with his son at Baird, Crews, Schiller & Whitaker, P.C. where he was ‘of counsel’ until his death. In addition to practicing law, he taught Securities Law at Baylor Law School as an adjunct professor. Prior to practicing law, Rex was teacher and coach in Lorena. Throughout his life, he enjoyed teaching and serving in church and the greater Waco area.

Rex deeply loved his Lord, his family and his friends. With unique devotion, he invested in the lives of those around him. He encouraged his wife and children in their endeavors and took great pride not only in the many activities of his grandchildren but also in their faith. Rex was a life-long learner with a growth mindset. His relationships were authentic. He sought the kingdom of God in everything he did and was rooted deeply in the Word of God. He saw its value for living life abundant.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Whitaker of Waco; daughter, Lisa Osborne and her husband Kip of Waco; son, Mark Whitaker and his wife Jana of Temple; daughter, Kristi Mouse and her husband Boyd of Rockwall; his grandchildren, Emma Whitaker, Victoria Osborne, Heath Osborne, Grace Whitaker, Emilie Osborne, Ellie Whitaker, Bryce Mouse, Kirbey Mouse and Brooks Mouse.

He is survived also by his brother, Wayne Whitaker and wife Emilie of Bedford, and their three sons, Patrick, Michael and Mathew. He also was blessed with abiding relationships with his extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers will be Wes Filer, Paul Hubbard, Curtis Logan, Larry Berkman, Corey Carbonara, Miles Koon, Todd Dorton and James Recks. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Partners Bible Study Class at Western Heights Baptist Church.

The family would like to extend its gratitude to the doctors, nurses, Hospice and health care workers who so compassionately served Rex and the entire family.

Memorials may be made to Western Heights Baptist Church, 6301 Bosque Boulevard, Waco, TX 76710.