Leathan Whitaker, sixty-five years of age, passed away peacefully at his home on December 26, 2022, with his wife and son at his side.

Born in Hazard, KY to Culbert and Jeanette Bowling Whitaker on October 13, 1957, 'Tosh' (as his parents loving nicknamed him) was the middle child and only son of three children. His father was a construction boss when Leathan was young and his family moved frequently. Eventually, they settled in Cornetsville on Little Leatherwood Creek Road. He graduated from Dilce Combs High School in Jeff, KY, in 1975.  In September 1977, Leathan was hired on at Blue Diamond Coal Company, where he worked for 44 years until he was medically retired in 2021. On November 18, two months after taking a job with Blue Diamond, he married the love of his life, Pamela Shepherd. The birth of their son, Andrew Ross, completed their family and Leathan devoted his life to loving and providing for his family.

Leathan was a quiet man who was dedicated to family and work. He took pride in his work and was dependable, regardless of the day or time of day he was called to go in. He loved taking short trips with his family, working puzzles, spending time with Andy doing any number of things or doing nothing at all, relishing the time spent together. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a talented wood carver and made fishing lures, peace pipes, and carved guns. Leathan was a member of the Nolan Masonic Lodge in Bledsoe, KY. He believed in the Baptist faith.  Leathan's absence will be felt deeply by many but aside from his family, perhaps none more than his beloved fur-babies, Tiger and Cougar, two special cats he adopted and have loved for over nine years. He called them 'The Nuddins'…where you saw one, you saw the 'nudd'ern (the other one).

Leathan is preceded in death by his father, Culbert Whitaker, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Robin and Betty Shepherd, who were like parents to him.

Left to cherish wonderful memories of Leathan is his wife of 45 years, Pam Whitaker, of Delphia, KY; his son, Andy, also of Delphia; his mother, Jeanette Whitaker, of Cornettsville, KY; sister, Camilla Adams, her husband, David, and their family, of Cornettsville, KY; sister, Lillian Rathbun and husband, Scott, and their son, Franklin, of Fairbury, IL; his Masonic lodge family; and a host of extended relatives and dear friends.

According to Leathan's wishes, he was cremated and a small gathering of family and friends will take place at a graveside burial at a later date.

Tri City Funeral Home is honored to serve Mr. Leathan Whitaker's family.