James Taylor Whitaker, Jr.

James "Jim" Taylor Whitaker, Jr., 70, of Simpsonville, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2022.

He was born on December 28, 1951 in Louisville, Kentucky to the late James and Sarah (Yarbough) Whitaker.

Jim graduated from Eastern High School in 1969 and went on to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) where earned his bachelor's degree in music education. In 1971 while still in college Jim married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Nally, and they had just this past year celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. After college Jim made a career for himself in the Louisville area as a professional drummer, playing in countless bands through out the 70s and 80s. Fueled by a desire to have a career that allowed him to spend more time around his young family, Jim decided to change careers in the late 1980s and pursued a masters degree in Special Education at the University of Louisville. Jim began a long career in education in the Louisville area working in Shelby and Jefferson Counties where he served as a teacher, Director of Transportation and School Safety as well as a behavioral consultant. As an educator he impacted countless students and teachers during his career and stayed in contact with many of them for the remainder of his life.

Jim was also a life long farmer, and grew up farming with his dad and grandpa on the family farms located on the Shelby/Jefferson county line near Fisherville, Ky. It was spending time on the farms as a boy that gave Jim his life long love of the outdoors. Jim loved being outside no matter what the weather and found a way to get outdoors where ever his life took him. He later went on to own a farm near Southville, KY where he passed his love of farming and the outdoors to his sons. Most recently Jim was the owner of JT Whitaker and Sons Farm in Simpsonville, Ky where he lived with his family, spending his time pouring into the lives of his family and friends.

While Jim had much professional success, what really set him apart was his infectious love for Christ and his unquestioned devotion to his family. Jim was a longtime member of Southeast Christian Church, where he played drums on the worship team for over 30 years. He went on many mission trips overseas in an effort to spread the gospel, looking after the needs of widows and orphans. Jim also never met a stranger, and could literally talk to anyone anywhere. He had a gift of making people feel comfortable, and took a genuine interest in everyone he spoke to.

Jim's legacy of faith, and compassion lives on in the the countless lives he impacted while here on this earth as well as his family he leaves behind.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Joanne Nally Whitaker, sons Robbie Whitaker (Jaime), Seth Whitaker (Erin), and 6 grandchildren Rylee (Senniger), Kaylin (Senniger), Levi, Kate, Luke and Everett. He is also survived by his brother in-law Kevin Nally, nephew Brandon Nally, and his father in law Bob Nally.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday January 23, 2022 at Southeast Christian Church Chapel in the Woods located at 1407 Moser Rd, Louisville, KY 40299.

The family requests that contributions in Jims memory be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF.org).

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