Tim Whited

Obituary

With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our dearly loved Tim Whited after a valiant battle with cancer. Tim departed this world peacefully on Saturday February 17th, surrounded by his loved ones in his cherished mountain home in Nederland, CO.

Tim was born in Kewanee, IL to his parents Art & Jeanine Whited and raised alongside his younger brother, Mark Whited. He spent his early years on the family farm where he had many fond memories and cultivated his core values of hard work, “no excuses,” integrity, commitment, and sense of adventure. He graduated from Wethersfield High School in Kewanee where he proudly represented the Wethersfield Flying Geese on the basketball court and football field. He later attended Illinois State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. He believed strongly that this degree “taught him how to think”.


Since childhood Tim longed to be a mountain man. Upon graduation from college, Tim packed up his 64 Chevrolet Impala with everything he owned and drove to Colorado where he would begin the life of his dreams. The mountains inspired him every day of his life. It was there that he met his loyal and loving wife Pat, where he was inspired to write poetry, and explore the high country without a map. In these mountains he chose to put down roots in a home he and Pat built with love, sweat, and intention to raise a family.

 In his early 20’s he worked for Pepsi Co. delivering to stores and bars until he became fed up with living by the clock and letting others tell him what to do.  He then worked at the historic Caribou Ranch as well as a side-gig of cutting and selling firewood out of the back of his old Dodge truck. This work started building a fire that fueled his entrepreneurial spirit.

 Tim entered the environmental protection and corrosion control business working alongside a good friend. The entrepreneurial flame really took off in this industry and in 1982 he started a company called Corrocon, Inc. installing leak detection and leak prevention systems at gas stations and tank farms around the country. With an engineering mind,  he was an innovator and pioneer in his field. Taking inspiration from a mechanical pencil., he invented and developed directional drilling technology called Bottom Logic that would change the industry and lead to many more opportunities in the field. In 1996 Tim sold Corrocon and continued excelling in the industry he was so passionate about. Over the next 30 years he worked for Tracer Research Corporation, Praxair Services, Inc., Cortec Corporation, MESA, and most recently worked as a consultant. He was an expert, a mentor, and innovator focused with determination on solutions.


Tim’s life was anchored in his family, and for Tim family was not limited to blood relation. His family included countess friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Without a moment of hesitation, Tim would help anyone in his family who was in need. He shared a deep and abiding love with his wife, Pat for more than 50 years. Their unity brought forth 2 children, Sara (Coutts) and Claire (Prida). He spoke with great pride about Pat’s loyal companionship and dedication to their family and community. He felt a true sense of achievement knowing that he helped to raise two very capable and strong women. In his later years, Tim relished his role as a grandfather (aka G-Pop) to Quincy and Corbin. He lovingly hosted them at “Camp G-Pop” including BB Gun shooting competitions, 4-wheeler riding, and inciting the “need for speed” on the sleds.

 A passionate collector car and enthusiast, Tim and Pat found great joy in various car auctions and car shows across the country for over 20 years. This hobby was kicked off with the purchase of a 1959 Cadillac after the sale of his business in 1996. After adding several more red cars to his collection his friend, Len nick-named his favorite car color “White-Head-Red” and the joke continued for years to follow. The car collector world fostered some of his most treasured friendships and experiences. Dubbed “The Mayor” of Barrett Jackson, Tim found great joy and energy as he walked around the auction greeting “the regulars,” shaking hands, patting backs, and letting the gin and tonic flow freely all while laughing and sometimes bidding on, ummmm, unexpected items.
 
Tim’s legacy will continue to resonate in the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to have known him. He was an adventurer, achiever, mentor, husband, father and friend.


The family plans to hold a Celebration of Life in June. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Carousel of Happiness in Nederland where Tim served as Board President and passionate supporter (see donation link below). The mission of the Carousel, “Don’t Delay Joy” resonated deeply with Tim and we hope it will for you as well.

Gallery

Memory wall

August 1, 2024

Mark, I remember I first met your brother, Tim, and your father, Art, in Normal. I was a volunteer who helped Tim move into his dorm room in Manchester Hall at Illinois State University his freshman year. We became friends right then. Many years later, in 1989, Art became a patient of mine. He was SO proud of both of you. I only just now (8/1) learned of Tim's passing from Jim Irick, another old friend from I. S. U. Tim was a very good friend all through I. S. U. I am sorry for your loss. And although we were friends all those years ago, we apparently were not close enough for him to give me an Auburn or a Cord. But I will always remember him as Head.

Dr. William E. Copes

July 27, 2024

dear ones, I am so sorry to hear of Tim's passing. I want Pat to know that I loved him very much, and I have nothing but good memories of our time together. in 1974, they opened their home to me out of the goodness of their hearts, and gave me and spanky a home and a place to grow. tim and I had a great time together at Illinois State, and then in boulder. I remember that Chevy. life well lived, head. I love you.

Jim Irick

June 3, 2024

Just a few memories over the years. We knew if Tim and Pat were with us, there would be lots of laughter ❣️

Robin Reddick

March 25, 2024

Tim, Santa Clause’s Brother, was loved by many and I was one of those many. I have known him since I was very young because I grew up across the street from Pat and Tim’s beach house in Galveston, Tx. I have so many memories of Tim but i’m going to share this one that always comes first to my head when I think of him. I don’t know if this is such a prominent memory in my mind because of his big smile, the fact that he was so tall, or because of the way he was always so happy to see Pat when he’d get home. As I said earlier, I grew up across the street from their beach house so I would go over there to hangout with them, do crossword puzzles, drink orange juice with cranberry juice, etc. The first memory that always comes to mind when I think of Tim is when I would be at the house with Pat and he would walk in through the front door. He would walk in with such a big a smile always and he would take up the whole door frame because he was so tall. I remember he would put his hands on the top of the door frame and greet us with a huge smile. I can still see that exact image 15 years later. He got the nickname of Santa Clause’s Brother because he was the complete opposite of Santa. He was tall, thin, and rode his 1959 red cadillac instead of a red sleigh.
Tim is missed by many and he has touched so many peoples lives.❤️

The picture I am sharing is one I took from my last visit to Pat and Tim’s house in Colorado this past summer. He was showing us around and I decided to snap this picture because I feel like it captured him perfectly in his element.🏔️

Rocio Prida

March 15, 2024

Tim
The memories are endless. When I was younger he was the tallest human I’d ever seen, and every time he came over I would think this was the time his head would scrape our ceiling. His deep, jolly, contagious laugh and smile would always light up the room. I loved the way Pat’s face would change and be so full of love, adoration, and peace when she would look at him. I witnessed and adored that from a young age and it lasted right up until a picture Claire sent me at the last car auction they went to. Watching how good he was at horseshoes was somewhat mesmerizing!! Every 4th of July he would bring such an array of fireworks that every kid at the party knew when Tim Whited showed up. It was on! His idea for Claire and I to dress up as fireworks and cruise in the back of a cherry red convertible for the Fourth of July parade was unforgettable! How he could sport any hat and still look cool was impressive. So many memories of sharing Thanksgiving together and listening to his stories. Tim and my Dad would just feed off of each other, back and forth. The gift of sharing joy and of having fun that was innate in him; from collecting classic cars, to four-wheeling, to teaching Sara and Claire his mischievous ways to make any day or encounter memorable, adventurous, creative and straight up fun! Tim was a man to look up to as a role model for both yourself, for the qualities to find in a partner, for qualities as a good father. He was hard working, intelligent, fun, easy to talk to and caring. Tim and Pat hosted us at their home after my Dad’s memorial and everyone was invited. They entertained, provided food, and were there to give us what we all needed in a time that we didn’t know what we needed or even what what to do. The day he told Claire and I that he was proud of us made my confidence absolutely beam and meant more than he ever could have known! What a humble man. He accomplished so much in his life with us. He has left a legacy for us all to cherish:
-Proof of a good man, father, husband and friend.
-A pillar of hard work and success
-Two incredible daughters who always say the right thing or the funniest, most absurd thing and nail its execution. They are an example of successful, kind, humble, good humans who are the most loyal and true friends.
-An incredible wife who is a joy to be around, is a part of what home and family mean to me, as well as funny, witty, kind, and someone I have always looked up to.

I literally want to make a book of quotes of Tim and Pat Whited. They represent what a partnership of a genuine, long-lasting love and friendship can be. They created an image of what we all strive for in a relationship! I am beyond grateful to have known Tim Whited and to have had him be a part of my life and upbringing. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to have all these wonderful memories that I get to cherish, share with others, and reflect on with his family. You will be deeply missed and impossible to ever forget!

Amanda Degner

February 21, 2024

❤️

Claire

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