Colbert Whitaker III
Dr. Colbert Whitaker III, died at home on Monday, February 17, 2025, after an extended illness.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Patricia Hale Whitaker, his father, Colbert W. Whitaker Jr. and mother, Margaret Plank Whitaker, his brother, Steve Whitaker and his sister, Judy Sivils.
In September 1960, he married the love of his life, Patricia Hale Whitaker, who died in 2020 after struggling with cancer. He is survived by two children, Dr. Mark Douglas Whitaker (Ji Un) of Seoul, South Korea, and Kimberly Whitaker Ashton (Matt) of Virginia Beach, Va., grandchildren, Chase, Brooke and Luke, sister-in-law, Jackie Indermill Whitaker of Newport News, Va., and many nieces and nephews.
He received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Chattanooga and a doctorate from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He was a teacher, counselor, and principal at Brainerd High, principal at Howard Junior and assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in Hamilton County Schools.
Colbert was an avid traveler. He and his wife, Pat traveled extensively in the US, Europe, Middle East, and Far East. He was a ferocious reader and researcher in comparative religion, early Christianity, US, and Middle East history, and education law. He was also a bird lover, who spent a lot of his time watching and feeding them. He was, however, not at all fond of the villainous bird food eating squirrels, raccoons, and chipmunks.
The family would like to say a special thanks to all the healthcare aids and many lifelong friends for all the love and care they have given to Colbert throughout the years, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Please share your thoughts and memories at: www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com
Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.