George Clifford Whitaker

George Clifford “Cliff” Whitaker, 67 of Sanford peacefully passed away surrounded by his loyal loved ones Sunday January 5, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday at Life Springs Church. Burial will follow at Buffalo Cemetery.

Mr. Whitaker was born in Florence, SC a son of the late Asa Eugene Whitaker and Ava Frances Allmond. His greatest joy, other than his children, was spending time with his grandchildren. Cliff retired from the Sheriff’s Dept. and also worked as UNC Campus Police, as well as former Assistant Chief of Tramway Rural Fire Department where he met his wife. He was also an avid Duke fan and enjoyed gardening, fishing and camping. He was an excellent carpenter and after he found out he had cancer, he put those skills to work as a form of therapy. He cut and milled timber from their property and built a log cabin all with his own two hands. Cliff was one month shy of his fifth anniversary of fighting his courageous battle with cancer. 

Mr. Whitaker is survived by his wife of 39 years, Denise Davis Whitaker; son, Larry Clifford Whitaker (Stephanie); daughter, Elizabeth Whitaker Collins (Sam); grandchildren, Ansleigh Whitaker, Jase Whitaker, Pressly Collins and Parker Collins; fur baby Bella; siblings, Richard Benjamin Whitaker (Alice), Asa Michael Whitaker (Mitszi), David Gerald Whitaker, Cathy W. Howard (Keith), Johnny Eugene Whitaker (Deborah), Steven Douglas Allmond (Katherine) and Angela Cindy Allmond; mother in law Diane Davis; father in law Larry Davis (Cheryl); and aunts, uncles, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am Wednesday at the Church prior to the Funeral.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741; or to the charity of one’s choice.