Fred A. Whatley, Sr.

Fred A Whatley Sr., 63, passed away at his La Junta home on November 29, 2014. He was born November 13, 1951 in La Junta, Colorado to the proud parents Alfonso and Mary C. Whatley. He was surrounded by 7 brothers and 7 sisters.
 
As a child he attended Catholic School up until the 6th Grade. He then went on to attend La Junta Jr./Sr. High School. During his school years he played football, baseball, and wrestling and ran track. After high school he enlisted in to the Job Corp where it took him to the state of Montana where he learned various working traits. He operated heavy machinery learned masonry and carpentry work. After two years in the Corp. he returned home to the La Junta Valley. He met and married Patricia Ann Romero on October 27, 1972. He made his home of 63 years in La Junta. Fred worked 27 years at Morgan and Sons glass and 3 years with the La Junta school district and then retired. During these years he was a baseball, softball, soccer, and wrestling coach. He dedicated many years to being a youth leader at Olivet Baptist Chapel and First Southern Baptist Church. He loved riding his motorcycles and was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association Chapter El Shaddai Warriors and The Local Area Biker’s. He was a faithful brother of Brotherhood of the Holy Society of Santo Nino de Atocha.
 
He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia A. Whatley, daughter, Veronica Diaz, sons, Michael J. Whatley, Freddie Whatley Jr., daughter, Cynthia K. (Brian White) Whatley, daughter, Tiffany (Richard) Whatley-Mata, daughter, Naomi (Clayton) Whatley-Sims; 24 grandchildren, and three great-grandsons; brothers, Danny Whatley, David (Nancy) Whatley, Jim (Toni) Whatley, Tom (Margerete) Whatley; sisters, Joann Martinez, Phyllis (Art) Whatley-Wissar, Nancy Whatley, Leslie Whatley, Eva Whatley; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfonso and Mary Whatley, brothers, Lawrence, Abraham, and Ricky Whatley; sisters, Carol and Priscilla Whatley.
  
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Brotherhood of Santo Nino de Atoche direct or through the funeral home.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. and funeral mass will  be Friday, December 5, 2014 at 10 a.m. both services at Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish with Father Matthew Wertin officiating. Interment will follow service at the Calvary Cemetery.