In loving memory of Ronald Lee Whitman - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Ronald Lee Whitman is joyously singing praises to His Lord. He passed from this life into the Heavenly Choir on February 7, 2018, at the age of 69. When Ron was in high school he was asked to choose another elective because he was tone deaf. He is now part of the largest mass choir ever. Ron was born in Ohio and raised in Indiana. He enlisted in the United States Air Force prior to being drafted during the Vietnam War. He retired in 1988, settling in Garner, NC and working for the City of Raleigh, NC, an easy transition from military life. After a mission trip working with a Zulu tribe in South Africa, Ron felt the Lord’s calling on his life. At the ripe age of 48, he returned to school, graduating from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1998. Since that time his congregation has been the world. He had a special place in his heart for children, and loved hearing them pray and recite their Bible verses at Awana. His favorite child by far was his granddaughter, Rachel Crickmar. She could put a smile on his face faster than anything. He was also delighted at the special relationship he had with the Creech children: Ava, Raegan, David, Micah and Lydia; as well as the Murphy children: Josh, Naomi, Cherith, Isaiah, Jordan, Esther, Sara, and Melody. He counted them as family. In 2016 Ron was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of the bile ducts). He was advised there was treatment, but no cure. They gave him 6 to 9 weeks to live, letting us know that twelve months would be a huge stretch. Obviously God had other plans, and Ron continued to live his life with a smile on his face and a word of encouragement to those he met. He never complained and often quoted Phil 2:14, Do all things without complaining and disputing. Missing him greatly will be his loving wife, Diane, daughter Alicia (Andrew) Pucci, and of course Rachel. He is survived by his father, Donald, brothers Donnie and Gordon, and sisters Lorraine and Barbara. Waiting for him in Heaven was his mother Laura, son Ryan, and a host of people that called him brother, friend and pastor. He has a final message to share with each of you. Saving faith is different than the belief of faith. If you were to die today, are you certain you would go to Heaven? If not please seek a Christian to share with you the assurance of Heaven. To those that said yes, he will be waiting to greet you in his new eternal home.