Charles Dayton Whitehead

Dayton, being born in 1928, lived 96 years on this earth. He said no one could imagine how the world had changed in his lifetime. Yet, even through the hard times, he still would say, “what a beautiful world”. He left home at an early age and joined the Merchant Marines at the age of 16 in 1944 as WWII raged. In March, 1945, an enemy Submarine torpedoed and sank his Liberty Ship in the English channel while they were carrying ammunition cargo to France. If it had hit just a few feet to one side, the ship would have blown and the whole crew would have perished. He joined the Army Air Force in 1946 and was stationed on the island of Guam. Dayton said that it took a while for word to get to everyone that the war was over, so the fighting continued for some time. Dayton did not like to speak about his service. He did not want to draw attention to himself. 

The family hopes he does not get wind of this article :) As a young man serving his country, he was subjected to the brutality of war and hospitalized in France and on Guam. Yet, he believed in service to his country as a priority, without boast or complaint. He loved his Country and was proud to have served. 

He worked many jobs to provide for his family. He built and maintained many of the roads in Bandera County, as well as installing all of the water and sewer lines in the town of Bandera. He was a carpenter, a rancher, a constable and a storyteller of all the people in this area - where they lived, what they did, whether they had cows or sheep…etc. His family called him “the fastest man in the world” and “the smartest man in the world”. There was a lot of family time on the river, in the pasture, and at the card and domino table. 

Charles Dayton Whitehead was born February 2, 1928 close to the banks of the Medina River. He took flight to his heavenly home June 12, 2024. His parents were Roy Whitehead and Jewel (Honey) Coleman. He married Rose Patricia Buchanan in 1949 and had four children. After her passing he married Laura (Dutch) Holliman in 2004 until her passing in 2018. 

Dayton is preceded in death by his parents, his wives, grandsons Corey and Jeremy, as well as three sisters and two brothers.

Dayton is survived by his children: Robert Whitehead and wife NamHui, Chuck Whitehead, Darlene Stevens and husband David, Mark Whitehead and wife Brenda. Brother: George Loessberg and wife Joan. Grandchildren: Jason VanWinkle, John Whitehead, James Whitehead, Brent Whitehead, Katy Rose Fitzgerald, Jody Fitzgerald and James Fitzgerald Greatgrandchildren: Damon and Josh Whitehead, and Michael, Micayla and Maverick Skinner. And many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 17 at Oak Rest Cemetery in Medina.

Memorials may be given to Peterson Hospice, the Bandera American Legion post., or one of your choosing.

The family wishes to extend our sincere and special thanks to his most loving hospice nurse Rebecca, and to all the friends and family who showed up for visits, bringing food, love and prayers.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Bandera Funeral Chapel.