Gary Ray Whittington, 69, of Ottumwa, died at 10:21 p.m. July 17, 2022 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
He was born March 8, 1953 in Ottumwa to Paul and Myrtle Garrels Whittington. He married Tammy Paris June 20, 1981.
Growing up in Agency, Gary was a 1971 graduate of Cardinal High School. Early on, he worked in the foundry in Fairfield, as an x-ray technician, and as a welder at John Deere Ottumwa Works. Gary was on the Wapello County Sheriff’s Reserve, then worked as a Wapello County Sheriff’s deputy and eventually as Chief Deputy; in total for 28 years, before retiring in 2010.
Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting and helping others farm.
Surviving is his wife, Tammy; their two sons, John (Ashley) Whittington of Agency and Brett Whittington of Ottumwa; 7 grandchildren, Kaden Whittington, Madison Johnson, Dylan Johnson, Cole Whittington, Lexus Whittington, Bentley Whittington and Beretta Whittington; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tony and Linda Paris of Ottumwa.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Todd Paris.
Visitation will be open at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 21st at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, July 22nd at Reece Funeral Home with Chaplain Doug McAntire officiating. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed live on the Reece Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the family.
