Roy Don Whitehead, Sr.

Roy Don Whitehead Sr, 90, of Troy, OH, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026, after a brief illness.

Don was born on his family farm in Wellsville, MO to the late Roy and Bessie Ida Whitehead (nee Rubey). Don was 4th generation on the farm and grew up without running water and electricity, which made his achievement as an F-8U Crusader fighter pilot for the Marines an even more remarkable accomplishment. The F-8U was the first aircraft to fly across the United States faster than the speed of sound and held early national speed records, making Don, at the time, one of the fastest humans on earth.

He was a graduate of Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO, where he met his wife of 70 years, Fran Whitehead (nee Vaughan), and following his time in the Marines, had a successful career in manufacturing management, retiring from the Kohler Company in Union City, TN in 2000. He and Fran then retired back to the farm where they built a beautiful log home that was the site of happy family gatherings for the next 25 years. Don and Fran moved to StoryPoint in Troy, Ohio in 2024 to be closer to their daughter, Catherine Grow.

Don was immensely proud of his 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren and followed their adventures in life with joy and enthusiastic support. He was preceded in death by his grandson, John Whitehead, his son-in-law, Erick Grow, and his oldest son, Scott Whitehead. He is survived by his wife Fran Whitehead, his daughter, Catherine Grow, his son, Roy Don Whitehead Jr (Amy Whitehead), his daughter-in-law Nancy Tunick, his grandchildren, Paul Whitehead (Michaela Whitehead), Sarah Whitehead, Louis Whitehead, Murphy Grow, George Grow, Jacob Grow, Erick Grow Jr, Abigail Whitehead, Allison Whitehead and great-grandchildren, Miriam Whitehead, Isaac Whitehead, and Jonathan Whitehead.

Don was a positive person whose many interests included investing in the stock market, watching Cardinals baseball, and playing bridge. Don spent many years as the treasurer of the vestry of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Mexico, MO and felt most at peace when surrounded by nature. Don leaves a legacy of love through the lessons he learned and taught from generation to generation.

The family is grateful to Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County and StoryPoint Troy for their care and asks for donations in his memory to be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County. Don will be interred at Wellsville Cemetery at a later date. A celebration of life is scheduled for friends and family on June 6, 2026 at StoryPoint Troy.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.