Kelton Whitehead
He retired from Gulf States Utilities in 1995 after 33 years of service. He was one of the five founders of the Parks and Recreation District #3, now known as PARDS, and served as chairman of its board from inception in 1974 until 2005. Kelton was a member of 1956 Denham Springs basketball and softball teams which won the State Championships. He refereed high school basketball in the Baton Rouge area for 20 years and followed LSU basketball since the Pete Maravich era.
He was an avid gardener and was known for his tomatoes. For over 20 years, Kelton was owner with Jewell and Mark in Whitehead Travel Service. Through this, he was able to travel the world with Jewell and make many lasting memories. He spent many happy years at their camp in Bayou Sorrell with friends and family. Kelton was a member of First United Methodist Church of Denham Springs. With all of his accomplishments, he was still most proud of his two sons and his four grandsons were his pride and joy.
Visitation will be at First United Methodist Church, Denham Springs, on Thursday, Dec. 20, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation will resume Friday, December 21, from 9 a.m. until service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Bob Deich and the Rev. Ginny Allen. He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred D. and Alice Dugas Whitehead; sister, Gladys Whitehead Pratt; and father-in-law, Richard Byrd.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jewell Byrd Whitehead, who was his best friend and caregiver; two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Terri Whitehead of Denham Springs, and Darrell and Zanie Whitehead of Wilmington, NC; four grandsons, Joshua Whitehead of Mobile, AL, Jacob and John Whitehead of Wilmington, NC, and Matthew Whitehead of Denham Springs; sister and brother-in-law, Lanell and Hal Rasberry of Denham Springs; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Janet Whitehead of Denham Springs; mother-in-law, Hilda Byrd; sister-in-law, Patricia Byrd, both of Baton Rouge; one niece and five nephews and other relatives, and special friend, Alex Theriot.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Joshua, Jacob, John, and Matthew Whitehead and Rick Delrie, Brent Dugas, and Alex Theriot. Honorary pallbearers are members of the 1956 Denham Springs High School State Championship basketball team, PARDS board members and employees, and the West Livingston Advisory Committee who served with Kelton during his years on PARDS board.
The family thanks Larry Selvage, staff of Generations Hospice and nurse Donna Tranom and CNA Barbara Hogan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Generations Hospice or First United Methodist Church of Denham Springs. Please sign the guestbook at www.sealefuneralhome.com.
Employed .
Retired 1995.
Passed Away December 17, 2012.