Frederick Kent Whitty

Frederick Kent “Fred” Whitty, age 80, passed away on January 25th, 2024, in Houston, Texas joining in heaven his beloved wife of 50 years, Cynthia Race Whitty who passed away early Good Friday morning April 10th, 2020, at the age of 73 in Houston, Texas.

The Whitty (Father Torvald Whitty) and Dexter (Mother Anne Dexter Whitty) family all Native Houstonians where Fred grew up in Spring Branch attending Spring Branch High School and enjoying refurbishing, and custom painting his 1957 Chevy to where he and his best friend Nick Davidson attended many auto shows around the US winning various awards. When Fred turned 18 years old, he went to work in Downtown Houston at the Bank of the Southwest as an apprentice engineer, where he worked with many retired Naval Veterans from WWII. After Leaving the Bank of the Southwest in 1964 he went to work for American General and worked for a US Marine who served in the 1950’s as a Stationary Engineer (boiler operator and maintenance technician) until 1966. Fred decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in May 1966, leaving for boot camp at Camp Pendleton CA, on October 31, 1966. Fred completed training for Artillery Fire Control Man, and his Artillery Survey Specialist Course at Ft Still Oklahoma before receiving his orders for Vietnam in February 9, 1968 as part of the 3rd Battalion, 13th Marines, 5th Marine Division, then transferred to the 1st Marine Division HQ to where Fred completed his tour in Vietnam working in the Division’s Fire Support Coordination Center returning home in April 1969 and finishing his Enlistment in the Marine Corp in California in September 1969 where Fred was honorably discharged as Sargent First Class with distinguished medals and ribbons for: Navy Achievement Metal with Combat V, Combat Action Ribbon, Expert Rifle Badge, Good Conduct Metal, National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service Metal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Metal issued with a device known as the “1960 Bar”. Fred attended DOD’s first college prep course called “Project Transition” under the GI Bill at UCLA.

During his tour in Vietnam, he was given a box of Christmas letters all addressed to Fellow Americans that he passed out to others in his section. One of the cards was signed “Best Wishes, Cynthia Race, Music Education Major, LSU”. Cynthia was an incredibly talented musician at Sulphur High School in LA playing French Horn in the Sulpher Tor’s band during football season and performing concerts in other seasons. Cynthia won many awards while in high school notably All State Orchestra Band (1962), District Honor Band (1962, 63, and 64) and All State Band in 1963. Her love for music made her decide to enroll in Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1965 where she Marched in the famous LSU Tiger Band at football games and receiving her Degree in Music at LSU in 1969. Fred and Cynthia became pen pals for his last four months in Vietnam and when returned to Houston for his leave before his discharge he drove to LSU to meet Cynthia and they started dating. After his discharge in September 1969, he immediately returned to his previous job in Houston at American General he drove from Houston to Louisiana every weekend where they were married on March 14th, 1970, in Sulphur, LA. Fred attended night school at the University of Houston Downtown where he received his B.S. Degree in Business Administration in 1976. Fred moved into Property Management working for Brown Bellows and Smith at the San Jacinto Building in Downtown Houston and had a long career finishing his last 30 years where he retired as Vice President for Transwestern managing Four Oaks Place. Over his entire career Fred received many recognitions, He became President of BOMA (Building Owners and Management Association) where he received his lifetime achievement award shortly after his retirement, and Fred was very well respected by his peers and friends in the Houston Community and Nationally throughout his time in BOMA. At Four Oaks Place he always treated the complex as his own by treating his staff, tenants, HPD and other Texas Law Enforcement, Security, and contractors large and small with nothing but respect and gratitude. Cynthia spent her entire career teaching music, piano, french horn, along with the love of all instruments, and playing in the Houston Symphonic Band and returning to LSU every year for LSU Band Alumni Weekend joining her fellow alumni marching with the band at halftime in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Cynthia played in many Orchestra concerts over her career across the US and notably in France in Paris and at the 70th Anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy Memorial. Fred and Cynthia touched many lives in their lifetime through Cynthia’s Music Teaching and Concerts, and Fred’s career in the Marine Corps and his peers that worked with him and for him. There are many close friends they both made over these many years. Fred’s words in his memoir “From a Fellow American” Photo History he states “When I joined the Marine Corps in 1966, I never imagined the impact it would have on my life. Not only did I meet a wonderful woman and get married, and have two sons, but the many experiences and lessons I learned have helped throughout my life. I am very proud that I served my country in the Marine Corps and even prouder of my family.”

Fred was preceded in death by his parents Torvald and Ann Whitty, and his wife, Cynthia Race Whitty. Fred leaves behind his sons Greg (Sauvena) Whitty and Marcus (Lindsey) Whitty and 6 beloved grandchildren Natalie, Elisha, James, Jackson, Lucas and Naomi Whitty; and brothers Pat and Jimmy Whitty.

The Family would like to thank the many friends and family that supported both Fred and Cynthia during their care since 2018 noting especially Belmont Sr Living Dementia Care, and Eagles Trace Sr Living and the many caregivers who watched over them. Sincere appreciation is also extended to Gunnery Sgt. Josh Aubrey for arranging Mr. Whitty's Dress Blues and Medals.

Visitation with the family was held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19, 2024 at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, Texas. Funeral services began at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11642 Memorial Drive in Houston. Interment with Marine Corps Honors followed at Houston National Cemetery.

Family desires memorial contributions being made in Fred and Cynthia Whitty's name to

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

The American Red Cross, Alzheimer’s Foundation or to a charity of your choice.