Gregory Whitbeck

In Orlando, Florida on Friday, December 2, 2016 in a senseless act of violence, a wife lost a loving husband, a daughter lost her hero and dad, a mother lost a loving son, four sisters lost an only brother, and the world lost a friend

Greg was born January 21, 1961 at Loring Air Force Base in Maine, the only son of Francis, a United States Air Force Airman and Vietnam Veteran, and his wife Evelyn, a nurse and homemaker.  His parents had tried unsuccessfully to have a son first, but had three daughters instead.  In no hurry to get to the hospital he was accidentally born at home while his mother was watching Perry Mason on the television! 

Greg grew up with his family in the Air Force  and  traveled from state to state.  They were stationed at Beal Air Force Base  where he attended preschool.  Fascinated by the planets, he brought home drawings of Pluto and Mars.  From California the family moved to Albany, New York where they could get to know their grandparents, while their dad went to Viet Nam.  In New York the grandparents took the children to the local Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the family would later join this church following a series of evangelistic meetings held by Evangelist George H. Rainey.

Greg’s dad returned from Viet Nam a year later and the children were all in church school. Their next and final assignment was McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington.  Greg attended Tacoma Junior Academy for junior high school, and then Auburn Adventist Academy (High School) where he graduated with many of his friends. Greg then moved to Walla Walla, Washington where he worked full-time while attending Walla Walla University graduating with his Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Social Work.  He completed an internship at American Lake Veterans Hospital, opening the door for other Walla Walla University students to complete their intips there.

Greg and his dad ran an assisted living family business for 18 years before coming to Florida.  Greg’s first job in Florida was at the Orange County Community Head Start Program.   While working at Head Start one early morning, a beautiful and talented lady named Josette Zephyr came to his office and asked for information about a class that was supposed be held in the building. Greg was listening to Kenny G. He invited Josette to sit at his desk and listen to the music with him. They introduced themselves further, and became friends. On September 20, 2008, in Montreal Canada, Greg and Josette joined their lives in marriage. Greg’s wish was for them to be married forever. Two weeks before he passed, Greg told Josette how even after death, he would love to meet her in heaven where they can live forever. Greg joined the health care providers at Fresenius Kidney Care Center as a social worker, and worked there for 13 years.  The patients and staff loved him, and he loved them. Words cannot express how much he will be missed. Left to mourn his loss are his wife Josette; daughter Crystal; Mother Lynn;  sisters Laura, Cynthia, Diane, and Angelina; nephews Joed Ngaruiya, Francis Ngaruiya, Samir Vega, and Julian Whitbeck; nieces Lillian Ngaruiya and Alexandra Vega.  Aunts Laura Edwards and  Dorita Free, and uncle Samuel Vega, co-workers, and a host of friends from around the world. Preceding him in death were Greg’s father Frank, and Uncles Thomas and Clifford Whitbeck.

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