Ed was born to Thurman and Virginia Whitaker in Warrensburg, MO. He graduated from Blue Springs High School, lettering all four years as offensive and defensive end in football. He attended Missouri Valley College for two years, playing defensive end in football. His freshman year, Ed was a member of the V-club (varsity club). In 1959, Ed was part of the team that played in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, FL. For his remaining college years, he transferred to Northwest Missouri State University where he also played football for two years.
He married Barbara Ross in 1961 and they had four children: Amy, Cristin and her twin sister, Cara and Ross. In 1963, Ed began teaching in the Cameron, MO School District where he served as an assistant and head football coach. In 1969, the family moved to Belton, MO where he became the head football coach. Ed was the Athletic Director for the Belton District and he also served as the assistant to Norman James Suburban Conference League. Ed opened the ReMax South Real Estate office in Belton in 1981.
Ed was a member and past president of the Belton Rotary Club. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. But golf was Ed's greatest passion, demonstrated by his winning an award at Loch Lloyd for the most rounds played during a year. Ed and his wife, Joan, have been members at Loch Lloyd where they developed great friendships with other members. Ed was also a member at Wolf Creek and Eagle's Landing, where he finally got his first hole-in-one.
Ed and his wife of 33 years, Joan, took many cruises together and enjoyed the winters in Palm Desert, CA for 25 years. Ed enjoyed golfing and Joan enjoyed shopping.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters, Amy (Charlie Quick) Wilson, Cristin (Tom) Bleakley, Cara (Vaughn) Henson; a son, Ross Whitaker; a step-daughter, Karen (Mark Leake) Meads; a step-son, Alex Meads and his girlfriend, Stephany Halsey Gerien; 13 wonderful grandchildren; two sisters, Linda Whitaker and Nancy White.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 28 at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., KCMO 64131. Interment in Mt. Moriah Cemetery.
Ed always said that everyday was a new day, "Play it where it lies."
