Arth Sharp (Cookie) Whitley was born Wednesday, December 28, 1932 in Kyote, Texas to Edwin Whitley and Delma Dawson Whitley. He was raised by his mother, Delma and her husband, Tobey C. Tomblin, after his father passed away. Tobey and Delma taught Cookie a love for land and cattle.
Arth joined the United States Air Force in 1953. He served in the Korean War at Johnson Island as an Aircraft Mechanic. Arth received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged in January 1957.
Arth and Annette Ehlinger Whitley were married June 27, 1953 in Devine, Texas. They lived in various states and settled in San Marcos, Texas in 1957. Arth was going to college for his B.S. in Education after graduation he took a position with Pleasanton ISD. Arth was an 8th grade Science teacher and bus driver. He was also an assistant football coach for 4 years. He then received his M.S. Education Leadership and was appointed Elementary Principal in Leming, Texas. He held that job for 3 years and then continued his career as Pleasanton Elementary Principal until 1990. He was in education for 30 years. Arth positively influenced many young lives.
In 1990 he became a full-time rancher which he did until his death. He loved his cattle and his land.
Arth is survived by his wife of 64 years, Annette Whitley; his daughters, Gwen Whitley and Karla Woerner and her husband Mike, and his sisters, Gayle Hamilton and husband George and Sondra Rackley and her husband Ronnie. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Gina, Jamie and Ike Malone, Weston, Sterling, Sage and Amrie Woerner; great-grandchildren, Ian and Arynn Malone, Whitley West and Georgia Ahern and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin Whitley, and mother, Delma Tomblin and her husband Tobey.
Serving as pallbearers for Arth’s service are: Henry Coward, Terry Gentry, David Ahern, Ike Malone, Weston and Mike Woerner, Brandon Rackley and Reese Williams. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Chuck Schulz, Arthur Troell, Wayne Whitley, Ronnie Rackley, George Hamilton, Velda Alexander, Gaylon Davidson and Rudy Segura.
Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 626 Market Street in Pleasanton at 10:00 AM, Friday, November 10, 2017. Interment will follow in Sand Branch Cemetery, off FM 2504 in Kyote.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Anyone wishing to sign the guestbook, share memories or issue condolences for the family may do so at www.hurleyfuneralhome.com.