Birth Date: 10/07/1933
Deceased Date: 10/20/2023
Virgil Dean Whitsitt (1933-2023)
Virgil Dean Whitsitt, previously of Four Oaks, North Carolina, passed away on Friday October 20, 2023 at the age of 90. He was receiving hospice care for complications from Alzheimer’s disease in a nursing care facility.
A visitation will be held at Underwood Funeral Home in Smithfield on Sunday October 22, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A graveside service will be held in Four Oaks Cemetery on Wednesday October 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM.
The youngest child of Virgil Oscar and Irene Whitsitt, he was born in southern Illinois and, with his family, moved to the San Diego, California area as a boy. After graduating from Sweetwater High School, in National City, California, he joined the Air Force and served as a radiotelegraph operator in Greenland and Japan during the Korean War. After his time in the military, he returned to San Diego and followed his father into the construction field, though as a carpenter, not a cement mason. He earned a dozen associate degrees in pursuit of wider expertise in small- and large-scale construction. His last employment was as a building code enforcement inspector for the sprawling Los Angeles school system. Throughout his time in these occupations, he put to good use his extraordinary ability to compute even complex measurements in his head.
Upon retirement, he moved to North Carolina with his wife, Shirley, who passed in 2011 after almost 50 years together. He is survived by his daughter, Dena Keene (husband Daniel), of Holly Springs, North Carolina; a stepson, Robert Shelton, of Lansing, Michigan; two granddaughters, Ashley Marie Keene and Danielle Keene, both of North Carolina. This year, his first great granddaughter, Maizy Mae, was born into the family.
Virgil was an avid genealogist, taking up this passion long before it became a fad. He was also a skilled jigsaw puzzle solver—the more pieces, the better—and a devoted gardener, especially in his retirement. He was, in addition, a dedicated Pinochle player and, most notably, a frequent dance partner with his beautiful wife. As folks in many American Legion and VFW halls can attest, those two could cut the proverbial rug with the best.
Many will know him by his first name, Virgil; some from earlier times will know him as Dean. He would also answer to Dad, Papa, Great Papa, and “Hey California.” By any name, everyone will remember a clever, resourceful, and sometimes contrarian man who found happiness with his wife, family, and friends who loved him.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at Parrishfh.com
