Harold Lee Whitson

Harold L Whitson passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2013. Harold was a native of Jonesborough, Tennessee and lived and worked in Johnson City for the past 44 years. Harold graduated from Jonesborough High School and attended East Tennessee State University. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1969, having served at the 8th and I Barracks with White House Duty under Lyndon B. Johnson and a one-year tour of Vietnam. He returned to Johnson City, married the former Helen Nelson and became manager of the Pet Dairy Computer Department. He most recently owned Fairway Sales - a computer/ad specialty and office design business. Harold loved life and to him every day was an adventure. He loved to travel, especially to New York and California and he made great friends there along the way. He was an avid golfer and had seven holes in one during his lifetime. He loved the game and enjoyed seeing young boys and girls play and develop a love for the sport as well. He was also a wonderful cook, photographer, enjoyed guitars, cars and tools of every kind.He will always be remembered for his friendly attitude and mild mannered disposition. He was active in community affairs having served as one of the first chairman of the Toyota Golf Classic, benefitting Mountain States Foundations member of the Lions Club, American Cancer Society Volunteer and past President of the Johnson City Country Club. Harold is survived by his wife, Helen, their two dogs, Macy and Tudor, brother-in-law, Wayne Gulledge, several cousins, his buddies Jimmy, Joe, and Mike, and many, many close friends and neighbors that are family to him. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Adeline Whitson, parents-in-law, Pete and Gladys Nelson, and sister-in-law, Sandra Gulledge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Radiation/Oncology Department at Mountain States Hospital and the American Cancer Society, Washington County Chapter. Many thanks to Dr. William Kincaid and his staff at East Tennessee Hematology Associates for giving him another three years to live a wonderful life; Dr. Ron Colvett, Mountain States Radiation and Oncology; the staff at Mountain States Medical Center and his wonderful nurses;Dr. Marian Bertotti, Dr. Carlos Floresguerra, Dr. Asheesh Shipstone and his staff at Wellmont Cancer Institute; Dr. Byron May and his staff at Wellmont Radiation and Oncology; Dr. Ray Lamb; Dr. Myra Blankenship and the wonderful nurses at Wellmont Hospital. Their loving care has meant so much to Harold and his family. A graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 2:00 pm in the Monte Vista Memorial Park under the direction of Pastor Jeremy Dykes. Military honors will be accorded by the Boone Dam VFW and the Tennessee National Guard. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 1:45 pm.