Obituaries

Thomas Ray Whitaker (69)

Thomas Ray Whitaker (69) was one in a million and loved by all who knew him. Surrounded by his family, on the evening of November 12, 2024, Jesus came and escorted him home to Heaven. Tom was born on February 4, 1955, to Ray and Joyce Whitaker at Dearborn Hospital in Madera, CA. A lifelong resident of Madera, Tom attended local schools and graduated from Madera High with the Class of 1973.

He attended Fresno City College before working full-time at the family dismantling business, Whitaker’s Auto Wrecking. In 1988, Whitaker’s Auto Wrecking split, and Tom became the owner of Whitaker’s 4x4 Heaven, specializing in pick-ups, vans, 4x4s, and Jeeps. Later, when the shop closed in 2003, he decided on his second career as a school bus driver for Madera Unified, where he stayed until his retirement in 2017 after almost 15 years.

Shortly after high school, on June 14, 1975, Tom married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Janet Bernardi, at St. Joachim Catholic Church. Married for nearly 50 years, Tom & Janet made their home in Madera, where they raised two daughters, Monica & Stephanie, who remained local.

Tom was known for his genuine smile, generous heart, and strong love for God, his country, his family, and his friends. He was one of a kind and a true gentleman, and everyone who met him instantly loved him. He was the kind of guy who would give the shirt off his back or give up his entire Saturday to help a friend in need.

Tom grew up involved in Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout and living out the motto of always being prepared until his dying day. You could always count on him to fix, find, or MacGyver something for you. Tom was also an active member of the Camp Fire community for years.

The thing Tom loved most in life was serving God. He loved attending the Men’s Friday morning Bible study at 4th Street Church of God weekly and has been an active church member since 1983. He enjoyed volunteering with the food bank on Tuesdays and was an usher for years. Tom loved his church and the people and served the Lord every chance.

Tom is survived by his wife, Janet, his two daughters, Monica and Stephanie, and his son-in-law, David.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Joyce Whitaker, and brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Susan Whitaker.

A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at 4th Street Church of God in Madera, CA. A reception will follow.