Harry Howard Whitmore was born February 4, 1939 in Washington, D.C. He went to be with Jesus March 27, 2024 in Hollywood, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents: Helen Brice Whitmore & Willard Wirt Whitmore; two brothers: Brice Whitmore & Bob Whitmore; and one daughter, Kimberly Whitmore.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Whitmore; one brother, Willard Whitmore and his wife, Elizabeth; four children, Adam Whitmore, Bonnie Izzo, Steven Whitmore, Michele Sharpe & her husband, Raul Sharpe; and four grandchildren, Anthony Izzo & his fiancée, Nicole Ciasca; Alyssa Sharpe, Zachary Sharpe & Samantha Whitmore.
Harry is a Vietnam Veteran. He is proud to have served his country in the Navy as a Radioman First Class, Special Forces Advisors, from 1956 thru 1960.
He retired as a Zone Mechanic from Miami Dade County Schools June 30, 2004. He met Eleanor in Nov. 1987, while she was working at the same school he was in the evening. She also worked as a church secretary in the daytime at North Hialeah Baptist Church. When she invited him to church, he became a Christian Dec. 8, 1987, led by Rev. Doug Hampton, who later also baptized him. Doug also married Harry and Eleanor Dec. 3, 1989. After Harry retired, he did have a lawn business, but found himself doing lawns for free most of the time.
Harry became active in all church activities including driving the church bus, teaching Sunday School & Vacation Bible School, sang in the Choir, was a counselor at youth camp, taught Discipleship Training and a Prophecy Class. He later became the Outreach Director of the church. He especially was proud to portray a disciple in “The Living Lord’s Supper” at North Hialeah Baptist Church for several years, led by Marilyn Nelson.
Ministering to Senior Citizens at North Hialeah Baptist was where he found his greatest joy. He helped them with home repairs, ran errands, took them to the doctor, gave & administered their medications. Ministering to the sick and/or dying, in their homes, nursing homes and hospitals, came natural for him.
He was also happy to serve the Lord as a voluntary missionary and going on many Mission Trips to help build churches. He went to Haiti, Honduras & Brazil and more. Then later became the Missions Chairman of the church.
He and Eleanor were able to buy their home in Dec. 2002. Through the years, Harry prided himself in taking care of orchids and planting a vegetable garden. Later he also planted roses. He also loved feeding the parrots in a couple of homemade feeders.
Harry was ordained as a minister Dec. 13, 2009, by Dr. Oscar Ramirez at First Baptist Church of Hialeah Gardens, FL. He was a Hospice Chaplain visiting patients at the VA Hospital.
Harry decided to go to other churches, while Eleanor chose to remain at North Hialeah Baptist. In addition to attending First Baptist Church of Hialeah Gardens, Harry also joined Gardens Baptist where Marilyn & Jim Nelson chose to attend. Later he joined First Baptist Church of SW Broward. More recently, he became a charter member of Bible Baptist Church of Dania Beach. He especially enjoyed the “Street Ministry” and Eleanor would go with him to be a part of that ministry.
Through the years, Harry and Eleanor, on their vacations would visit Eleanor’s family in NC and his family in MD. They also visited friends that moved away. He especially wanted to always go to the Chesapeake Bay for Blue Claw Crabs. His favorite hobby was fishing. He went fishing at every opportunity.
More than anything, he loved being with his family. He would check the calendar for the next special event, knowing that he would be able to be with all of his children and grandchildren as they all would get together at one location for birthdays and holidays.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, April 13th, from 2-5 PM with Tributes of a Lifetime Service at 4:00 PM at Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, University Drive Chapel. Graveside Service with Military Honors will be on Monday, April 15th, 2:00 PM at South Florida National Cemetery.
MIssy Stotler
April 5, 2024, 7:56 pm
Aunt Eleanor & family, We love you and are praying for you. We are sorry to hear about Uncle Harry, but we take joy in knowing beyond a shadow of doubt that we will see him again, and he is no longer in pain because Jesus has allowed him to graduate, from here, to home.
Dena Slusher
April 5, 2024, 9:45 pm
Harry was always so helpful to other people with whatever they needed, such a blessing to so many including my mom Frances. She is enjoying his hugs in heaven. Many prayers ❤️
Myra McElveen
April 5, 2024, 10:31 pm
Harry was a true follower of Jesus Christ. We are glad to have known Harry. We met Harry and Eleanor through Dennis’s mom, Mary Frances McElveen who went to be with Jesus Nov. 25, 2020. She thought the world of Harry and spent most of her life with Harry and Eleanor after George passed away in 1980 at North Hialeah Baptist Church. Frances was always with them on their church activities which was pretty much all the time. Dennis and Harry would talk about their military service sometimes. We all will meet again in Heaven again.
Eric Grubisich
April 13, 2024, 1:33 pm
Harry was a staple of my childhood growing up in North Hialeah Baptist. He and Eleanor were always at our house, and my favorite memories of him are sitting out back by the lake smelling his pipe tobacco while we just listened to the birds and watched the water. They were both family to all of us kids and God has a special place in Heaven where Harry is now sitting in Paradise fishing in the Living Waters. All our love, The Grubisich Family.