In Memory

Ken Whitney

Kenneth Mack Whitney

April 11, 1955 ~ December 10, 2023 (age 68)

 

Kenneth Whitney Obituary

Kenneth Mack Whitney, 68, of Cottonwood Heights, passed away on December 10, 2023 after a battle with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.  He was born April 11, 1955 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Keith Lynn Whitney and Katheryn Mayer Whitney.  He was the second of four children and the only son.

From the beginning, Ken always had an excitement for life.  He described being in his crib and hearing a clock in his parents’ bedroom seemingly ticking slowly, and thinking, “I want to get my life started NOW!”  As a boy, Ken liked to watch The Lone Ranger TV show and loved to pretend to play cowboys.  As a teenager, he loved riding motorcycles and waterskiing at Lake Powell.  He attended Skyline High School and graduated in 1973.  He had many wonderful friends who have remained extremely close through the years.  From 1974-1976 Ken had the privilege of serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Manila, Philippines Mission under President Raymond L. Goodson, who he greatly admired.  He loved his mission.  In 1982 he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a triple minor in Health Education, Biological Science and Earth Science.  Ken then began his 37-year career as a teacher at Kearns High School where he enjoyed teaching biology, psychology and astronomy. He was a positive influence in the lives of hundreds of young people. During that time, he also teamed up with his father, Keith, to build their family home in Cottonwood Heights.  He also completed a master’s degree in Economics and Human Resources. He retired  in 2019, but he continued to be an influence for good by working part-time as a substitute teacher in the Seminary program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also continued pursuing his passion for skiing, and picked up a new hobby:  golf!

Ken married Connie Barber in the Salt Lake Temple in June of 1985. They have been a strong team throughout their marriage. Ken loved his two children:  Thomas Grant Whitney, born in 1997; and Elizabeth Celeste Whitney, born in 1998.  Ken’s favorite activities included watching Hallmark movies, skiing at Alta, riding his motorcycle, water skiing, golfing, making new friends and coming up with puns. But most of all, he loved spending time with Connie and Tom and Liz! He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend.  His sense of humor and positive outlook on life will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Ken was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Mackenzie Whitney.  He is survived by his sisters: Carolynn Spratt (Bruce), Rebecca Finn (Andrew), and Julie Armstrong (Ted).

In lieu of flowers, Ken would be pleased to have you donate to the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


Services

VIEWING

Friday
December 15, 2023
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Holbrook Mortuary
3251 South 2300 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84109

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VIEWING

Saturday
December 16, 2023
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Wasatch 5th Ward
8100 Top of the World
Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121

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FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday
December 16, 2023
11:00 AM
Wasatch 5th Ward
8100 Top of the World
Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121

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