Keith Lee Whitley

ARLINGTON — Keith Lee Whitley, 46, passed away September 21, 2011, at his home in Arlington. A celebration of Keith’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m., October 8, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church Chapel, 800 W. 5th St., Fort Worth, Texas, 76102. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Partners Together for Health, 2500 Circle Dr., Suite 300, Fort Worth, Texas, 76119. Keith was born March 12, 1965, in Wichita Falls, Texas. A quiet and loving child, he nonetheless had a mischievous streak and delighted in teasing his two siblings. The family moved to Fort Worth and Keith, a true Texan, lived and worked in the greater Fort Worth area the rest of his life. Keith married Juanita “Nita” Crager, arriving at the ceremony with his beloved bride-to-be in a horse-drawn carriage. He was overjoyed at the birth of their daughter, Kayla Michelle Whitley, two years later. Keith loved the outdoors and was passionate about personal fitness. Drawing on his strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, he founded a lawn-care business and would sometimes allow his young daughter to accompany him in his work. She was, he joked, one of his best workers … though he still made time to help her rescue frogs. Always devoted to his family, Keith often prepared the family meals and became an outstanding cook. He had a natural talent with animals and, despite his outward reserve, was known to tuck his pets into bed at night. An avid sports fan, he loved the Dallas Cowboys — even when they were losing. When they scored, his whoops and hollers could approach dangerous decibel levels. His generous heart, creative intellect, and easy humor are deeply missed. Keith is survived by Nita Crager Whitley, Kayla Michelle Whitley, parents Claude and Evelyn Whitley, grandmother Juanita Hodges, sister Julie Whitley Schuessler, brother-in-law Randy Schuessler, nephew David Matthew Schuessler, sister-in-law Jennifer Dowdell Whitley, father- and mother-in-law Sam and Rose Mary Crager, sister-in-law Rhonda Crager Coble, and sister-in-law Rose Crager Robinson. He was preceded in death by grandfather Dr. Claude Hodges, grandparents Claude and Anna Lee Whitley, and brother David Matthews Whitley.