MISSION, KAN -- Jack F. Whitaker, former president and CEO of Whitaker Cable Corp., died May 19 in Mission, Kan. He was 90.

Whitaker received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1936 and earned a MBA from Harvard University in 1938. After attending Harvard, Jack joined Whitaker Cable Corp., where he eventually served as executive vice president, president and chairman of the board. Whitaker Cable Corp. was purchased by Echlin prior to Dana's acquisition of Echlin in 1998.

Whitaker was president and chairman of the board of the Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association, president of the Associated Industries of Missouri and a director of the National Association of Manufacturers. He also served as a director of Whitaker Cable of Canada, Whitaker Cable de Mexico and Whitaker Cable of Australia. He was a member of the board of directors of United Missouri Bank, the Gas Service Co., Stuart Hall Co., and Midwest Research Institute.

In addition to his career in the aftermarket, Whitaker was a dedicated volunteer with a number of organizations. In 1967, Whitaker served as the general chairman of the Heart of America United Way. From 1971-1973, he served as the co-chairman of the fund drive to build Martin Luther King Hospital where he also was chairman of the executive committee until 1974. Jack was the first president of the Men's Auxiliary for St. Joseph Hospital.

In 1975, he received a citation for community service from the Kansas City Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. A devout Roman Catholic, Whitaker served as chairman of fund drives to build schools at St. Agnes and St. Ann's. He was a founding member of the Serra Club of Kansas City, a founding and lifelong member of the St. Augustine Discussion Group, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a Knight of the Holy Sepulcher. As a member of Queen of the Holy Rosary parish, he served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Whitaker is survived by his wife Ursula; four of his children; his five stepchildren; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends contributions to the Catholic Community Hospice, a service of Catholic Charities in Kansas City, KS, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Queen of the Holy Rosary Church. (Arr. McGilley State Line Chapel, 816-942-6180)

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