- Dean Whisnant passed away peacefully on June 6, 2018, after a short battle with leukemia. He was born in Cleveland County to Ophas Alexander Whisnant and Mabel Carpenter Whisnant on December 15, 1927. Dean graduated from Shelby High School and was proud to serve in the United States Navy for four years. He then graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College and later the University of Georgia School of Executive Development and the American Savings and Loan Graduate School at Indiana University. Dean spent most of his professional life in the banking industry. He joined Shelby Savings and Loan Association in 1955 as Treasurer and Assistant Secretary and was later appointed President and CEO as the institution transitioned to Shelby Savings Bank. At the time of his retirement in 2000, Dean was the longest serving bank president in the state of North Carolina.
Dean was proud of his Cleveland County heritage that dated back to 1743, and he loved his hometown of Shelby, North Carolina. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church. He was Past President of the Shelby Jaycees as well as the Shelby Rotary Club and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He served on the Board of Advisors of Gardner Webb University and the Piedmont Boy Scouts Council. He also served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Cleveland County, the Uptown Shelby Association, the Shelby City Parks and Recreation Board, and Cleveland Country Club. He served as Treasurer of the Cleveland County Chapter of the American Red Cross and as President of the Shelby Arts Council. He also served on the Board of Governors of the North Carolina Alliance of Community Financial Institutions, the North Carolina Savings and Loan League, and the North Carolina Bankers Association.
Dean was an avid golfer, and he was proud of his three holes-in-one at Cleveland Country Club. He was also a talented oil painter and enjoyed many other art activities. He loved all sorts of sports but had a special passion for the Shelby High School Lions, the Atlanta Braves, and the Carolina Panthers. He was active in bringing the Panthers Stadium to Charlotte in the early 1990's. Dean loved to travel, and he loved challenging his two daughters to learn and grow and be the best people they could be. He instilled in them a strong faith in God, the importance of a good education, and the desire to serve the communities they live in. He simply adored his grandchildren, and nothing pleased him more than spending time with them. He was loved so very much and will truly be missed.
In addition to his parents, Dean was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Martha Richards Whisnant in 2006. He was also predeceased by two brothers, Jim Whisnant and Larry Whisnant. He is survived by his daughter Debbie Whisnant Crutchfield and husband Brian of Charlotte, North Carolina; daughter Kristy Whisnant Kretzschmar and husband Todd of Raleigh, North Carolina; granddaughter Jennifer Crutchfield Squires and husband Charlie of Charlotte; grandson Scott Andrew Crutchfield of Asheville, North Carolina; two great-grandsons Andrew Williamson Squires and Alexander Charles Squires of Charlotte; and several nieces and nephews. Dean is also survived by his very special friend Peggy Gates Webb of Shelby.
We are so thankful that our father was able to maintain a quality life during the last years of his life. His friend Peggy was a constant and loving companion. Dean also benefited from Helping Hands Nursing Service, Inc. and with the quality care provided by Shelley Wilson, Frances Proctor, Michelle Wilson, and Vanessa Simpson, he was able to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible. We do not underestimate the impact these individuals had on his life and will be eternally grateful to them. We are also grateful to Dr. Kyle Aldinger and the staff of Shelby Medical Associates, Dr. Forrest Thompson and the staff of the Levine Cancer Institute, and the staff of The Hospice House Wendover for their expertise and care during Dean's short illness.
The funeral will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 9, 2018 in the sanctuary of Central United Methodist Church in Shelby with Rev. Fawn Mikel officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Burial with military honors will follow in Sunset Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; 4530 Park Road, #240; Charlotte, NC 28209 to help fund research for cures for these dreaded diseases.
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Whisnant. |
