Kenneth W. Whitehurst

Kenneth Wayne Whitehurst
01/22/1937 – 07/21/2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth Wayne Whitehurst, on July 21, at the age of 88, after a long illness. He was born in Beaufort, North Carolina, the son of James Gaskins Whitehurst and Mildred Vance Sabiston Whitehurst. A proud Southern gentleman and a devoted TarHeel, he attended Beaufort High School, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Western Carolina University. Beginning in fourth grade, he trained under his father at his Venetian Blind and Awning business, where he honed the skills he would later put to use in wallpapering and sewing.
He married Susan Fahs Barnard in 1970, and moved to Millbrae, CA, where they raised their family. Their children and grandchildren have enjoyed spending time at 879 for 50+ years, especially Christmas week when the whole family could gather together. Ken loved music and theatre from an early age, when his family took him to Broadway musicals, and he performed in community theatre productions for over twenty years. Ken’s delight in fine dining and cooking meals for others was surpassed only by his love of travel. He and Susan made yearly trips to Europe, and he came to consider Paris his second home. He attained his Master’s Degree in Education at SFSU and enjoyed a long career in education and business. He is survived by his loving wife Susan and fourteen close family relatives whose love and devotion brought him such joy in his later years; his daughters, Jennifer Barnard Bull (Bill) and Claudine Whitehurst Clarken (Mike); his son, Timothy Whitehurst (Mimi); his grandchildren, Jason, Lily and Ryan Bull; Sean and Timmy Clarken; Isla and Phoebe Whitehurst; his cousin, Paul Davis; his beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Rocket and Roscoe. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jonathan H. Whitehurst.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.