| OBITUARY
AARON MATTHEW WHITLEY: 1980-2004
Facing constant medical problems, he savored life
Heart recipient was an Eagle Scout, college student
and tuba player ==================================================
 Dallas Morning News, The (TX)-July 29, 2004
Author: JOE SIMNACHER, Staff Writer
Aaron Matthew Whitley had a powerful spirit that
defied his physical frailties.
His first heart surgery - as a 9-month-old baby in
May 1981 - was front-page news. Then there was follow-up surgery before he was
3, a pacemaker at 14 and a heart transplant before he turned 20.
Although his life was a constant battle against
medical problems, he was determined not just to survive. He became an Eagle
Scout, amazed people by playing tuba in high school and earned an associate's
degree. He was a semester away from receiving a bachelor's degree.
Mr. Whitley, 23, died Sunday of complications from
multiple health problems, including cancer, at St. Paul University Medical
Center in Dallas.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2945 Sunbeck Circle in Farmers Branch. There
will be a viewing the hour before his service.
"He was the most happy and optimistic person you met
in your whole life," said his mother, Debi Whitley of Carrollton.
Mr. Whitley's heart problems began when he was born
in Dallas on Aug. 19, 1980. His blood pressure in his upper body was four to
five times higher than normal, and his lower body had almost no blood pressure.
In May 1981 he had his first open heart surgery.
Mr. Whitley grew up quickly, facing life-and-death
questions by the eighth grade, his mother said.
But he made up for his physical shortcomings with a
determination to savor life.
In elementary school, he took part in a 24-mile
bicycle rally. He amazed friends and family by completing a quarter of the
course, then riding past classmates who quit by the 10-mile mark. When his
bicycle had a flat tire a mile and a half from the finish, he walked the rest of
the way.
In 1999, he graduated from R.L. Turner High School in
Carrollton, where he was named the "Lion Pride Maker" for his achievement in the
face of adversity. He had perfect attendance his senior year.
But his health deteriorated in 2000, when he was
hospitalized for more than 150 days, his mother said.
On July 17, 2000, he received a heart transplant. He
was quoted in yet another front-page story on his medical trials that he
considered his condition to be a blessing.
"I think I'm better off," he said. "Because I've had
serious heart problems, I understand life better."
Rather than eliminating his health problems, his new
strong heart revealed other medical problems that had to be dealt with. He
continued his effort to live a normal life.
Although he was just an average student, he was
persistent in school, his mother said. He earned an associate's degree at
Brookhaven College and was just hours from completing a bachelor's degree at the
University of North Texas in Denton.
In March he had difficulty swallowing on a family
camping trip. He was diagnosed with cancer. Once again, he defied the odds and
fought the cancer.
Despite a considerable battle with his cancer
treatments, Mr. Whitley was suggesting last Thursday that he visit his sister in
Florida and ride a boogie board, his mother said. That same day, some of his
former teachers took him to lunch.
But he became ill late Saturday night and was
hospitalized early Sunday morning.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Whitley is survived by
his father, Mike Whitley of Carrollton; two brothers, Michael Whitley of Plano
and Steven Whitley of Dallas; two sisters, Kristie Yorke of Jacksonville, Fla.,
and Melissa Whitley of Carrollton; and his grandparents, Letha Whitley of Austin
and Wanda Cameron and David Drew, both of Vancouver, Wash.
The Dallas Morning News - July 29, 2004
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams
Aaron Matthew Whitley
WHITLEY, AARON MATTHEW was born to Mike and Debi Whitley in Dallas, TX on August
19, 1980. He passed away July 25, 2004. Every day of his life was a special gift
from God to his family, who loved him dearly and hold fast to the lessons of
life he taught them. He was born with an imperfect body, but his love of life on
earth was so strong that he gladly submitted to whatever medical interventions
were necessary to prolong it. An especially optimistic person, he brought joy
and happiness to others. His unfailingly cheerful attitude in the face of
adversity and dogged determination to do ordinary things taught us each to try a
little harder ourselves. He called himself the "Master Fisherman" and he loved
playing and watching baseball. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was a ham
radio operator. He attended Turner High School, received his Associates degree
from Brookhaven College, and was nearing completion of his Bachelor's degree
from the University of North Texas when he died. The family was the center of
his life. Predeceased by grandfather William Whitley. He is survived by his
parents, his brother Michael and wife Heather, brother Steven and wife Amanda,
sister Kristie and husband Barth Yorke, sister Melissa, five nieces and nephews
and grandparents Letha Whitley, Wanda and Bob Cameron, Dave and Rose Drew. The
family wishes to thank the doctors and medical support people who helped God
extend Aaron's life, the teachers and school personnel who lovingly taught him
by word and example, and extended family, friends and neighbors who lent them
love and support during his life. Viewing, July 28, 7-9 pm, Rhoton Funeral Home,
Funeral Service, July 29, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2945
Sunbeck Circle, Farmers Branch, TX., Viewing 10 a.m., service 11:00 a.m. Dignity
Memorial Rhoton Funeral Home I35 at Crosby Rd. Carrollton (972) 242-5261 Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams |
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