This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Whitley, Paulk, Orns Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4617/mb.ashx Message Board Post: David Lee Whitley was born in Carlsbad, NM on May 07, 1958 to Ronald Taylor Whitley and Bessie M. (Paulk) Whitley. He passed away on Saturday, August 07, 2010, in Midland, TX, at the age of 52. David courageously fought a lifelong battle with type I diabetes and its many complications. He was a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather. Music was David's first love. He began teaching himself to play guitar at age 12. Precocious and very talented, he performed as a paid musician as early as age 16. David was a full-time, professional musician as a young adult, playing with the Bucky Allred Band and several other bands in New Mexico. David married his soul mate Veronica Orns on May 06, 1978 in Silver City, NM. They enjoyed 32 happy years of marriage and raised seven children. He considered his role as a father to be most important. There was no limit to the sacrifices he was willing to make to support, love, and stay with his family. Those left to cherish his love and memory are his wife: Veronica Whitley of Midland, TX; mother: Bessie Whitley of Silver City, NM; four daughters: Dr. Heather Whitley of Livermore, CA, Sarah and husband Richard Deming of Canyon, TX, Kellie and husband Sean Michaelson, and Mariah Whitley, all of Midland, TX; three sons: David Paul Whitley, Mark Whitley, and Eric Whitley, all of Midland; sisters: Donna Whitley of Silver City, NM and Aletha Whitley and her mother Peggy Whitley of Roswell, NM; brother: Ronald William Whitley of Hurley, NM; four grandchildren, and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. His father Ronald "Ron" Whitley and an uncle who was like a second father, Donald Whitley, preceded him in death. David was an honest and hardworking man. A natural born leader, he worked in management in many jobs he held throughout his life. Most recently, he was a manager at a television station. In addition to playing guitar, he enjoyed building hotrods and computers. A celebration of David's life will be held at a later date in Silver City, NM. Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West Funeral Chapel of Odessa, TX. Online condolences may be sent at acreswestfuneral.com . David's family would like to express their gratitude to the many medical professionals of Midland and Odessa who cared for David. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations in memorial of David be made to: The American Diabetes Association , www.diabetes.org, 10 Desta Drive # 120b, Midland, TX, 79705; or to the National Kidney Foundation , www.kidney.org, 4200 W. Illinois Ave, Midland, TX 79703. Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on August 10, 2010 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.