James D. 'Sammy' Whitman Jr.

James D. "Sammy" Whitman, Jr. of Steelville, Missouri was born Tuesday, April 24, 1962 to the union of James D. "Danny" and Dorothy (nee: Cook) Whitman. He left from this life, suddenly, on Friday, March 22, 2019 in Dent County, Missouri at the age of 56 years. Sammy, as he was known by, began his working career as a mechanic. He was very talented and could build or rebuild any motor, motorcycle or automobile. He would buy something that needed lots of work, make it look better than built by the factory and resale it. After many years of being a mechanic, Sammy changed his career to be a truck driver. Sammy spent as many hours working on motorcycles as he did riding them. He had a collection of Harley Davidson shirts; one from Kuwait, Afghanistan, Montana and many others. Sammy enjoyed going to Bike Fest at Sturgis, Lake of the Ozarks and Daytona. He enjoyed teasing everyone, NASCAR races on Sunday, classic rock music and cooking. He never wanted anyone to do the dishes or his laundry. Except for Friday lunch, with his son Josh, he didn't eat out. Sammy and his daughter Shawntae enjoyed feeding the ducks at the Steelville park and going to the Dairy Isle for ice cream cones. In his younger years, you could find him and his sister Teresa at the Magic Market at 3 a.m. having a honey bun and chocolate milk. Family was very important to Sammy and two months ago he became a very proud grandpa. What he truly enjoyed most in life was spending time with his family and friends, He was a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, great uncle, cousin and friend to everyone. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. Sammy is preceded in death by his parents Danny and Dorothy Whitman, one son Cody Whitman and other family and friends. Those who are left to treasure his memory and to continue his legacy are his loving children; Josh and wife Amber Whitman of Cuba and Shawntae Norris and friend Deven Williams of Sullivan, precious granddaughter Clara Whitman of Cuba, five siblings; Teresa and husband James Switzer of Cuba, Lisa Cunningham of Cuba, Tim and wife Deb Whitman of Greenfield, Indiana, Melissa and husband Scott Blunt of Steelville and Michelle Whitman of Greenfield, Indiana, special friend Amanda Schlitt of Steelville, four legged pet "Yogi", nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 26, 2019 from 5:00 till 8:00 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home, 904 W Washington Street, Cuba. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at the Mizell Funeral Home with Pastor Gene Rauls officiating. Special recorded music will be "Where Eagles Fly", "Tears in Heaven" and "See You Again". Interment and prayers will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at the Praise Temple Memorial Gardens, Fredericktown, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sammy's family. The Mizell Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Whitman family.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 5:00pm - 8:00pm, Mizell Funeral Home

Service Information

Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 10:00am, Mizell Funeral Home

Interment Details

Praise Temple Memorial Gardens