Terry Carroll Whitaker, 64, of Knights Ferry died Tuesday, April 22 at a hospice facility in Livermore, following a nearly year-long battle with cancer.

He was a native of Los Alamos, N.M., where he was born to Willis C. and Betty Jean Whitaker. He spent his younger years in Southern California and graduated from Millikan High School in Long Beach in 1966.

Mr. Whitaker was drafted in the Army and served in Vietnam in 1969, attached to the Armor Division as a driver of armored personnel carriers, achieving the rank of Spec. 4.

After his military service, he worked in roadway construction throughout the state and also worked at Lake Tulloch on various projects for developers and property owners before settling in Knights Ferry.

He was a lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers fan and as a young man attended numerous Dodger games, including early years when the team played at the L.A. Coliseum. Throughout his life he enjoyed following all sports and was an avid motorcycle enthusiast who took trips and pleasure rides with friends.

He enjoyed socializing with his many friends and spent numerous hours sharing in the telling of and listening to stories of the past and discussing current events. Until his illness, he was always ready to lend a hand to others with various projects. He will be missed.

Survivors include his mother, Betty Jean Whitaker of Sonora; daughter, Teri of Missouri; sister, Toni (Cliff) Spair of Lake Tulloch; and three grandchildren of Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his father, Willis Whitaker; and brother, Mike of Nevada.

Following cremation, he will be interred at Santa Nella National Cemetery with full military honors. Service time is pending. A memorial service will also be held at a later date in Knights Ferry – contact longtime friend and fellow Vietnam veteran Larry Hays at 209-256-3024 for information.