John Paul Whisenhunt

John Paul Whisenhunt, 41, of Abilene, died Monday, June 13, 2011 at a local hospital. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at Beltway Park Baptist Church. Chaplain Steve Longmire will officiate. Burial will follow in the Drummond Cemetery.

He was born December 27, 1969 in Abilene, Texas to Jackie Lewis Whisenhunt and Dee Anna (Crawford) Whisenhunt. He graduated from Cooper High School in 1988. Paul married Jennifer Martin on February 24, 1998 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Paul Whisenhunt's friends said "he had 112 octane in his blood." Paul often said "I live my life a quarter mile at a time." The last six seconds of his life, he was doing what he loved. He was born and raised in Abilene and had been working as the body shop manager at Hanner Chevrolet in Baird. He grew up around cars and was a second generation paint and body man; and a real good one, too. Whisenhunt played softball, but was most passionate about his racing and golf.

Paul is survived by his father, Jackie Whisenhunt and wife Janet; his mother, Dee Anna Loftis and husband David; his wife, Jennifer Dianne Whisenhunt; three children, Jordan Michelle Whisenhunt, Colten Lee Farthing and Hanna Christine Whisenhunt, all of Abilene; three brothers, Jack Devin Whisenhunt, Joseph Bryant Whisenhunt, both of Abilene, and Justin Ramos of Ft. Irwin, CA; his mother-in-law, Cathy Martin; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Teresa Martin; two brothers-in-law, Brent and Tannar Martin; grandmothers, LaVoy Roberson and Pat Crawford; aunts and uncles, Barbara Wilson, Johnny Whisenhunt, Jimmie Whisenhunt and Lee Crawford; as well as several nieces, nephews and many cousins.

Paul was a very loving husband, father and son. He loved spending time with his family and taking special vacations with his wife and kids. Paul was loved by many friends and will be greatly missed.

Published in Abilene Reporter-News on June 15, 2011