Charles W. "Walt" Whitlatch

On December 9, 1947, Charles Walton “Walt” Whitlatch, Jr. was born to Charles and Betty Whitlatch. On May 15, 2017, at Taylor Hospice House, at the age of 69, Walt, beloved husband, devoted father and grandfather entered into his eternal heavenly home; meeting his Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face.

Walt was a good man in every possible way and lived his life to the fullest. He loved his cars – let’s repeat this statement, he loved his cars. At one time, he owned a ’57 Chevy which he had restored and eventually it was sold and transported to Australia. He owned a yellow Corvette and took great pleasure in taking each grandchild for long rides. He enjoyed word search puzzles, the flowers in the yard and watching the Fox News Network.

Walt was a proud Southsider, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1966. He loved his career as a member of the Des Moines Fire Department, retiring in 2004 as a District Chief. His fire fighter buddies were his extended family.

Walt was a member of Union Park Grace Fellowship Church, he sang in the choir and held several positions within the church structure throughout the years. He was also a member of the Concrete Cruizers, Adelphic Lodge #509, Grand Lodge of Iowa and the ZaGaZig Shrine, reaching the position of 32nd degree consistory.

Walt leaves behind a true legacy; Carolyn, his wife of 50 years; daughter, Denise (Shawn) McFarland; son, Brian (Janel) Whitlatch; grandsons, Skyler, Samuel, Dylan, Spencer, Storm and Steele; and granddaughters, Sydney, Stella, Scout and Scarlett. He is also survived by his father, Charles Whitlatch, Sr.; brothers, David, Cliff, Alan and Hugh Whitlatch; sister, Kayla (Andy) Vaskis; plus a host of extended family members and many, many close friends, (church, firefighters and neighbors).

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his mother, Betty.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2017 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home followed by burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Union Park Grace Fellowship Church, 832 Grandview, Des Moines, Iowa 50316 or Taylor House Hospice, 3401 E. Douglas, Des Moines, Iowa 50317.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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