David Whitworth

David Lee Whitworth

David Lee Whitworth 51 of Joplin, MO formerly of Kirksville passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2013 at his home.

The son of G.D. “Smoky” and Phyllis Jean (Galloway) Whitworth, he was born April 20, 1962 in Kirksville, Missouri.

David taught everyone he met a few lessons about life. He was gentle and kind and found joy in every occasion. He would greet any and everyone with an infectious smile that was impossible not to return. From the day he was born, David was faced with adversity, but that never stopped him. David was always on the move. His early years were filled delivering ice with stories that have become family legend and he later spent many happy mornings at the sheltered workshops in Kirksville and Joplin, MO. As an avid swimmer, he never met a pool he didn’t want to lap. In fact, ice storms could not keep him away from the Kirksville Municipal pool. He could also hula-hoop better than most. If you asked, he was happy to show you. David was often up to something, hearing it in his mischievous giggle you knew you were soon to be at the losing end of a joke but it was all in good fun.

David was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend. He cared deeply for those who were lucky enough to be in his life. He is survived by his mother, Jean Whitworth, his brother, Dan Whitworth (wife Debbie), all of Joplin; nephew Drew Whitworth of Broken Arrow OK, and niece Caitlin Whitworth of Joplin, MO and a host of other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father G.D. “Smoky” Whitworth, maternal grandparents Neal and Fay Galloway and paternal grandparents O.D. and Olive Whitworth.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 13, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Richard Northcutt officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Kent Galloway, Tim Hodges, Drew Whitworth, Marty Galloway, Logan Galloway, Caitlin Whitworth, and Sherrie Todd. Honorary bearers will be Marla & Steve Gramling, Bev Kitts, Kim Kriegel, Roberta Owens and Jennifer Veach.

Visitation will be Thursday night from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Contributions may be made in care of the funeral home to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.