Roll Call Tribute

Restwood Funeral Home obituary
CLUTE, TX
979-297-2121

Taylor Ross Whitley
FEBRUARY 21, 1980 – AUGUST 1, 2018

Taylor Ross Whitley, 38, of Lake Jackson, TX passed away August 1, 2018. Taylor was born February 21, 1980 in Baytown, Texas, to Dennis and Lanette (Lemons) Whitley of Edna, TX. He attended Tarkington Elementary near Cleveland, TX, and was a 1998 graduate of Sudan High School, Sudan, TX. Taylor pursued excellence in everything he did. He was Valedictorian of his high school class and an outstanding athlete. He earned a scholarship to play football for Texas A&M University and was a 3 year starter as an offensive lineman. He graduated from Texas A& M University, Class of 2002 and received his Masters Degree in Sports Management from Texas A&M University. His dream to play in the NFL was realized when he was drafted in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft and played for the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and the Washington Redskins. Taylor married Shannon Warny on March 13, 2004. They were the perfect team. They have two beautiful daughters, Laine Taylor, age 7, and Logan McKay, age 4, who rounded out team Whitley. He was Vice President of Sales at USA DeBusk. He and his family attended Brazos Pointe Fellowship in Lake Jackson, TX.

Taylor was larger than life in every regard. He was a gentle giant. He lived life to the fullest and everyone around him felt his love, strength and kindness. He loved God, being with his family, water sports, and Aggie Football. Taylor was the most amazing husband, father and friend. He was a man of excellence.

Taylor is survived by his wife, Shannon Warny Whitley and their two beautiful daughters Laine Taylor, and Logan McKay. His parents, Dennis and Lanette Whitley, of Edna, his sister and brother-in-law, Lauren and Chad Luig, and their children, Caden and Cash Luig of Aurora, as well as many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

Taylor is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Henry and Hazel Whitley and his maternal grandparents, Woodrow Lemons, Thelma and Dick Todd, his aunt and uncle, Woody and Paula Lemons.

Serving as pallbearers are cousins; Rob Bluhm, Scott Bluhm, John Ligon, Clay Whitley, Jake Whitley, and Tyler Wolfe, Geoff Hangartner (friend), and brother-in-laws; Chad Luig and Jeff Smith. Honorary pallbearers are his nephews, Caden and Cash Luig and Owen and Grant Smith, cousins, Bradley and Lawson Lemons, and his former teammates. Funeral service will be held on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Brazos Pointe Fellowship 679 Texas 332 W. Lake Jackson, TX 77566. Please no suits.


Services

Funeral Service Monday, August 6, 2018
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Restwood Funeral Home death notice
CLUTE, TX
979-297-2121

Taylor Ross Whitley
FEBRUARY 21, 1980 – AUGUST 1, 2018

Taylor Ross Whitley was born on February 21, 1980 and passed away on August 1, 2018


Services

NO SERVICES ARE SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME
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https://texags.com/s/28916/slocum-teammates-remember-taylor-whitley-as-a-bright-eyed-leader

Slocum, teammates remember Taylor Whitley as a "bright-eyed" leader
By Olin Buchanan
August 2, 2018

Two days ago former Texas A&M football coach R.C. Slocum’s memory was jogged as he drove through a tiny town in the Texas Panhandle. He was returning from a California vacation with his wife Nell and related stories to her as they drove through Sudan, Texas. He told her about Taylor. Whitley, one of his former Aggie players who was an all-conference offensive lineman in 2002. Whitley, 38, shockingly passed away on Wednesday. He is survived by wife, Shannon, and two daughters.

After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class in Sudan, Whitley played at A&M from 1999-2002, starting 34 of his 45 games. After his senior season, he was drafted in the third round by the Miami Dolphins. During a four-year NFL career, Whitley played for the Dolphins, Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins.

“I told Nell I had a good player from (Sudan),” Slocum said Thursday morning. “I talked about him and how (former assistant coach) Bill Johnson and I recruited him.

“Before I got home yesterday, I got a message from Cathy (Capps) that he passed away. That’s so crazy. I was just talking about him yesterday.”

Slocum recalled how he saw Whitley competing in the shot put at the state track meet and was impressed by his size and athleticism.

“He was just a big athletic guy,” Slocum said. “We went ahead and offered him. We got on him early. Tech and Texas and a lot of people made a run at him. He ended up coming here and did a great job.”

Slocum also recalled how Johnson, now a defensive line coach with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, had to fly into Muleshoe, Texas because it was the closest airport to Sudan.

Mostly, he recalled that Whitley was a hard-working guy who was respected and beloved by teammates.

“He was bright-eyed person,” Slocum said. “He never caused problems or issues. He was a good student and good player … just a bottom line guy.

“He was a great Aggie. He loved A&M. His teammates are in shock. He was one of those guys everybody liked. He was really respected.”

One of those shocked teammates was Seth McKinney, who played alongside Whitley and A&M and with the Dolphins.

"I was shocked to hear (the news). He was a great guy; the world needs more guys like Taylor. He was a great father, teammate and husband,” McKinney said Thursday on TexAgs radio.

“Make no mistake about it, he was a leader from Day One,” McKinney continued. “I think he started as a sophomore and you could tell how good of a player he was going to be. It was fun playing with guys like that, and to be honest I wish I could've played with more guys like him.

“I can't speak highly enough of Taylor. He had a great life and I hope that everyone around him felt the same way about him.”

Slocum certainly did.

“He had character and the innate ability to play at this level,” Slocum said. “He wasn’t overwhelmed moving from Sudan to Texas A&M.

“It’s just shocking for a guy that young, bright and full of life and with a beautiful family (passed). It’s crazy.”