David Edward Whitt

David Edward Whitt, 68, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at home on May 14, 2021. He was born to John and Mary Nell Whitt in Joplin, Missouri, on February 22, 1953. He was the youngest of three sons. When he was around two, his family moved to Fort Smith where he became a member of Central Presbyterian Church for the rest of his life.

David graduated from Northside High School in 1971 and earned a degree in zoology from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He worked with his brother, Chris, for fifty years in various businesses. They began in residential and commercial construction, and David was an accomplished builder. He then worked for many years at Air Systems and most recently for CSK Hotels.

David was a creative and talented artist who worked primarily in textiles. He won awards for some of his work from the Center for Art & Education in Van Buren. He loved working in the yard, gardening, playing poker with friends, traveling, hiking, fishing, genealogy, and taking photographs.

David loved his church family at Central and was very involved in church activities through the years. He served as Deacon and Elder and was Clerk of Session for 20 years. Later in life he became interested in the Enneagram and enjoyed his Enneagram group very much. David was a people person who loved to socialize and have fun with family and friends. He was still close to many childhood friends and had friendships that had lasted decades. He was a loving husband to Jan and a loving and devoted father to his only child, Matthew. He loved his family and his wife’s family and enjoyed traveling with family and friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Nell Whitt. He is survived by his loving wife, Jan, of almost 35 years, son Matthew, brother Michael (Charlotte), brother Chris, nephews Kane Whitt (Judy), Zen Boulden (Pam), Storm Nolan, Brandon Weeks, Joshua Hooper, father-in-law James West, sister-in-law Carolyn West Boulden, great-nieces, Olivia and Abigail Whitt, niece Laura McNeese, great-nephew, Connor Whitt (Brooke), and many cousins.

Memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith. There will not be a visitation, but friends will be able to visit with family immediately after the service in the church’s multi-purpose room. David wished to be cremated, and his ashes spread in various scenic places.

Honorary pallbearers are Matthew Whitt, Michael Whitt, Chris Whitt, Zen Boulden, Kane Whitt, Connor Whitt, Storm Nolan, Brandon Weeks, Joshua Hooper, and David’s Enneagram group.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, 2901 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901.