Roll Call Tribute

Edward Nelson Whitley Jr.
February 10, 1953 - August 1, 2021

Edward Nelson Whitley Jr., age 68, of Arlington, Texas passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021.

Funeral Service: 3 p.m. Monday, August 9, at First Baptist Church Arlington, 301 S Center St, Arlington, 76010. Interment: Moore Memorial Gardens, 1219 N. Davis Dr., Arlington, 76012. Visitation: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, August 8, at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Dr., Arlington, 76012.

Edward was born on February 10, 1953 in Cameron, Texas to Alice Marie Whitley. His father, Edward Nelson Whitley Sr. passed prior to his birth. Edward was the third of six close siblings. Growing up he was active in childhood and youth organizations. As a child, Edward loved TV westerns, building roadways in the dirt for his cars, staging action scenes with his plastic men, and aggravating his sisters. He was curious, worked toward goals, and was a people person, which helped him become an effective and beloved teacher. In high school he played football and ran track and participated in several clubs including the National Honor Society.

Edward lived in Cameron, TX until he graduated from C. H. Yoe High School in 1971 and spent one year at Ranger Junior College. Edward is a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1975 with a B.S. in Curriculum and Instruction. In 2006 he obtained his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from UT Arlington. Mr. Whitley had a 46 year career in education teaching mathematics and sciences in Cameron, Bryan, Grand Prairie, and Arlington and finished his career as a high school and middle school administrator.

Edward married Cindy McCullough in 1977 and started their family in Bryan, TX. With their children Jan, Jodi, and Cameron, Ed and Cindy moved to Arlington, TX in 1984 where they still call home. Edward taught children’s Sunday school at Fielder Road Baptist for many years where his own children discovered how great a teacher he really was. You could regularly find Ed rocking out to the Eagles at home with his kids. As a father, he made it a priority to attend his children’s numerous games, concerts, and activities and later logged dozens of road trips doing the same for his grandsons.

Edward was a loving and patient husband who was happy when Cindy was happy. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and was the spiritual leader of Cindy and the kids. Nightly he led the family in Bible study and prayer, and he devoted every Sunday to the Lord in worship and rest culminating in the family’s weekly “feast”. Edward never hesitated to help Cindy around the house and was regularly seen with young children crawling all over him. Cindy never doubted his love and devotion to her.

Edward’s pride and joy was his ten grandsons. “Pops” kept the boys constantly supplied with Hot Wheels, silly jokes, made up games, and all the sweet treats their parents restricted. Whenever asked what he wanted as a gift, Pops would respond, “to just spend time with my family.” Even though he had ten grandsons, Pops was intentional to know and love each one individually, and his legacy of compassion and service is already evident in the wonderful young men they are.

Second to his love of his family is Edward’s love of Texas history and Sam’s Club. Edward recently completed a tour of the missions and monuments of the Texas Revolution and makes it a priority to visit every single Sam’s Club on road trips and travels.

Ed and Cindy are members of First Baptist Church Arlington where they regularly served in the preschool ministry.

Edward’s capacity to love, readiness to forgive without being asked, patience, and ability to endure what he didn’t deserve was not of this world. God truly gave him a gift evident to anyone around him.

Edward is survived by his wife, Cindy; children, Jan Fritscher (Alvin) of Arlington, TX, Jodi Groover (Keith) of Houston, TX, and Cameron Whitley (Hannah) of Atascocita, TX; grandsons, Bennett, Hayes, Keaton, Will, Isaac, Dean, Mac, Cal, Judson, and Nash; siblings, Sherri Green (Dan), Bette Sanders (Randy), John Schmidt (Shelley), Joseph Schmidt, and Anna Kleinschmidt (Tim); a host of nieces, nephews, and other beloved friends and relatives.

Floral tributes may be sent to Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Dr., Arlington, 76012 or, should you choose to do so, donations may be made to Mission Arlington at https://missionarlington.org/.

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