James Eugene "Gene" Whitt

James Eugene “Gene” Whitt, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 84, at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro on Monday, March 31, 2025. He was born on February 7, 1941 in Alamance County to the late Kenneth James Edward Whitt and Brona Sue Bradshaw Whitt, and was the husband of 61 years to the love of his life, Nancy Long Whitt who passed away on January 9, 2025.

Gene was an “Elon” boy who loved “Elon College” where he grew up. He was raised in a large family, with caring and hard-working parents that had limited means that lived very simply. Gene always had crazy stories to tell about his childhood and teenage years, like hitchhiking to Florida and back or driving out to Kansas and back in the snow all in one day. We always loved hearing his stories of hanging out with friends in Elon at Wilburn’s Esso or Matlock’s Grocery, he knew the town inside and out. He also loved roaming the many acres of the Whitt Family Farm outside of Elon finding many beautiful arrowheads. Gene or commonly known as “Ludgie” around Elon, was a 1959 graduate from Elon High School who had a close-knit group of friends who ended up being lifelong friends to this day. Gene really treasured and looked forward to their regular lunches and get-togethers.

Gene believed and valued hard work; his first “real job” was at Engineered Plastics, then moving on and eventually retiring from GKN Automotive. He took immense pride working as a Manufacturing Supervisor; he traveled to Europe and around the United States for the company many times and was selected to give Governor Jim Hunt a personal tour of the plant. Gene influenced, guided, and led many employees through the years, many of whom remained in close contact with him. Post retirement, he enjoyed his part-time job inspecting cars at Wilson Tire and socializing with new and old friends; then, investing and buying a Great Clips franchise with Nancy, Ben, Marcy, Spence and Treena.

A passionate racing enthusiast, Gene not only competed at Piedmont Dragstrip, Ace Speedway, and various other tracks around NC, but also possessed a remarkable talent as a “hot rod” engine builder. His passion for NASCAR, and especially for being a legendary Dale Earnhardt fan, led him to enjoy many thrilling days at the Daytona 500 with family and friends for many years; he also loved watching racing locally at Ace Speedway and traveling to other regional race tracks to see family friends race their cars. In recent years he, Ben and Spence took part in the “Richard Petty Driving Experience” together in Charlotte. He cherished his prized 1971 “Candy Apple Red” Corvette and completely restored his 1940 Ford, 1973 Opel GT, and 1961 Impala, which was purchased new by his brother-in-law and then bought by his father. The Whitt Family home is full of trophies the cars won in local car shows.

Gene was also a man of many adventures—he rose through the ranks in Judo, held a Private Pilot license, and went skydiving when he turned 70 years old, a birthday gift from Ben and Treena; and last year he attended boxing classes with Thad and the gang at Rock Steady Boxing.

He and Nancy absolutely loved their little place at Topsail Island - watching Ben and Treena grow up swimming and surfing, teaching them how to fish, hanging out at Scotch Bonnet Pier, and eating at Max’s Pizza or indulging in a platter of fried flounder and shrimp.

Gene was a faithful member of Harvest Baptist Church for many years. He loved the Lord and along with Nancy, made sure Treena and Ben were raised in a Christian home and involved in Church from the time they were babies. Gene and Nancy were married at First Baptist Church in Elon 61 years ago and served there as faithful Youth leaders, leading and serving on various committees, and Gene serving as a Deacon.

He was a loving daddy to Ben and Treena and a proud “Poppy” to his seven grandchildren. Gene loved watching and supporting his children and grandchildren participate in every sport from A-Z, plus school programs and awards ceremonies. He even became part of the carpool for the Garrison grandkids, taking them to school two days a week for a couple of years. Gene and Nancy sacrificed so that their children could attend the universities of their choice and supported them financially so that they could travel on national and worldwide adventures as high school and college students.

Gene and Nancy were able to travel with Ben and Treena with their families on many memorable trips-camping at OBX, Bahamas, Martha’s Vineyard, Kennebunkport, Disney World, Key West, Clearwater Beach, Sanibel Island, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Savannah, New York City, just to name a few.

Gene was a Prostate Cancer survivor; he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease five years ago. In the last few years, he endured multiple abdominal surgeries, hospitalizations, rehab stints and setbacks, all while dealing with Nancy’s major health issues. However, with each setback, he tried to overcome and maintained a positive outlook that things would eventually get better.

No one has ever met a more encouraging, funny, humble, gentle, and genuinely happy person-truly, to know him was to love him!

He leaves behind his loving daughter, Treena Elaine Whitt Garrison, and son-in-love, Spencer; son, Benjamin “Ben” Eugene Whitt, and daughter-in-love, Marcy; his grandchildren that he adored, Ava, Lilee-Kate, Reagan, Chayce Garrison, and Parker, Brady, and Maxton Whitt; along with a devoted brother, Ervin Whitt, a sister, Lois Whitt Clapp, and his brothers-in-law, Eugene Curtis and James Long. Gene held dear the many nieces, nephews, and family members on both sides—a testament to the love that surrounded him. Gene was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nancy Long Whitt; parents; and his brothers, Garland Whitt and Clarence Whitt.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Cone Hospital, especially the Palliative and Comfort Care staff, in the C and B wings for their wisdom and compassion.

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Gene will be held at 3:00PM Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel, officiating by pastors, Larry Lamberth, Daren Ritchey and Buck Garrison, with the burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:30 to 2:45pm prior to the service. For those wishing to visit the family beforehand, they are welcome on Friday, April 4th, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the home of Ben and Marcy Whitt in Elon.

Memorials may be made to Harvest Baptist Church, 3741 S. Church Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You may watch the service and sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com