Gregory "Greg" Whitaker

God apparently needed a gigantic angel, or a brilliant young lawyer, because He got both when Gregory Donald Whitaker’s bright shining star was called Home January 30, 2022. Greg’s family has entrusted his care to Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa, where a Celebration of Life service will take place Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 1:00 pm, followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation is one hour prior to the service, at 12:00 noon. For those unable to attend, services will be available at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/. Greg came into this world large and in charge on July 16, 1990, in Fairfax, Virginia. Towering in stature, he was a lifelong champion of the underdog, and a “Gentle Giant” protector of those smaller or weaker, which included practically everybody. While sixth grade captain of the Safety Patrol at Fairhill Elementary School, Greg saved a kindergarten student from a potential kidnapping, receiving national news attention and many honors for his act of bravery. Growing up in Fairfax, he excelled at sports from an early age, especially Fairfax Little League Baseball and FPYC youth basketball. He learned golf prowess from his Dad. He graduated W. T. Woodson High School in 2008 named Senior Athlete of the Year, with numerous other awards for baseball, basketball and golf. He was proud to walk on the Drake University basketball team as a freshman. Always modest about his accomplishments, Greg valued the life lessons learned from athletics. However, what he treasured most were the friends he made along the way, and the everlasting bonds which united them. They bonded as brothers, and became family. Greg graduated from Drake University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, minor in Philosophy. A semester abroad in South Africa solidified his intent to study law to help people in need. He helped his law school teammates win several Mock Trial and Arbitration competitions, graduating with his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Drake Law School in 2016. After moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, Greg was admitted in October 2016 to practice law in North Carolina State and Federal Courts. He was on the verge of a stellar legal career, most recently as Lead Civil Attorney at Parton Law, PLLC in Charlotte. He quickly made friends in Charlotte who shared his love for dogs, and who enjoyed grilling out…especially Greg’s hand cut steaks. He was an avid mountain biker, and enjoyed hiking and camping in the mountains of North Carolina. A big guy with a huge heart, Greg’s family and friends will miss his sharp wit and sense of humor in all things. Greg is survived by his loving and devoted mother, Doneen Willard Whitaker, of Marshalltown; his father Richard Whitaker, of Fort Myers, Florida; Aunt Sherri Willard King, of Marshalltown; his aunt Lindsay Whitaker (Ken) Berge, of Ballwin, Missouri; his cousin Dani King (Nathan) Minkel, and Dani and Nathan’s three beautiful little girls. Left to mourn Greg’s loss are his cherished high school, Drake and Charlotte friends, and last but certainly not least, his “Best Buddy” Australian Shepard, Kingman. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Donald and Doris Willard; and his paternal grandparents, R.B. and Elaine Whitaker. In his honor, Greg’s mother intends to establish student athlete basketball and baseball scholarships. For information, the Mitchell Family Funeral Home website is mitchellfh.com. - Lovingly written by the family