Growing Up In Georgia
Bobby Whitaker ------------------David Whitaker-----Mark Whitaker
These babies are all wearing the same pair of sample overalls. A friend of my dad was a storekeeper and had been given a sample to showcase his merchandise. He gave them to my proud new father, Lee Whitaker. The overalls were quickly outgrown and so stiff that babies usually wore them only one time. We stuffed each of our sons in them long enough for a photograph.
My early years were in the town of Alamo, in Wheeler County, Georgia
where my dad worked as an Extension Service County Agent.
My big white dog was named Snowball.
My sister Sara Anne was a constant playmate. We got into mischief together.
I remember quite a lot about living in Alamo, especially about going to school. Then, during World War II, we lived in several different towns in Georgia. In 1942 we moved briefly to the Whitaker family farm in Harlem in Columbia County, for about six months. Next, we went to Mt. Vernon in Montgomery County where my dad worked as a County Agent for the Extension Service, then to Waynesboro in Burke county where he worked for Soil Conservation Service. In Waynesboro, I got involved in Boy Scouts. Also, in Waynesboro, I was selected for the award for "Outstanding 7th Grader." At that time, elementary schools in Georgia ran through 7th grade.
When I was 13, we moved back to Harlem to run the family farm for my ailing grandmother. Harlem is in Columbia County, about 20 miles from Augusta, which is in Richmond County.
Our dog Sport joined us in the photo above left.
I went to Harlem High School, Harlem, Georgia, graduating there in 1950, at the end of 11th grade. I was Class Salutatorian (second honor graduate.) Georgia did not implement 12 grades until after I had already graduated.
While at Harlem High School, I participated in these activities:
-- County Winner in Spelling Contest (8th grade)
-- Secretary of FFA Chapter
-- Awarded Georgia Planter Degree by State FFA
-- Represented school at District Literary Meet
-- Student Manager of Basketball Team
-- County Winner of Essay Contest on Importance of Naval Aviation. (This resulted in a 3-day trip to the Pensacola Naval Air Station with other county winners.)
-- Charter Member of National Beta Club (for honor students)
-- Recipient of "Woodmen of the World History Award"
University of Georgia
After high school, I set off to the University of Georgia, where for my first year, I had a Sears Roebuck Foundation Scholarship. Sara came there for her last three years. We both graduated from the University, first with bachelor degrees, then master's.
Many of my professors had been at the University at the same as our dad. Dad had graduated there in 1920 with a baccalaureate degree in agriculture.
Quite a few relatives have graduated from UGA, including Sara's three daughters in recent years. The University is where Sara met her husband Ralph; the three of us worked together there on campus at Snelling Dining Hall.
My entry in the Pandora Yearbook, 1954
College Activities: Ag Club (President); Demosthenian (President); AgHill Council (President); Dairy Science Club; Georgia Dairyman (Business Manager); Georgia Agriculturist (Managing Editor); Wesley Foundation; GOP (Independent Party); XClub; AGHON; Gridiron; ODK; Blue Key; Who's Who.
BSA, Dairy, 1954 from the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
MS, Dairy, 1959 from the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
Master's Thesis
The subject of my thesis was The Effect of Level and Source of Crude Fiber in Calf Starters on Weight Gains and Feed Consumption. My Master's program was interrupted by a stint in the U.S. Army. Upon the advice of my major professor, I completed my thesis, and it was approved, before I left for the army. After separation from the army in February of 1959, I returned to the University and completed the one remaining course during spring quarter.
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