Kevin Whitman

Kevin Clinton Whitman, lovingly known as KC or Casey, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at his home in Indian River, Michigan.

Kevin was the ninth child of DeWitt Clinton "Bud" Whitman and Grace Fitzpatrick Whitman. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers DeWitt Clinton, Mark Robert, and Christopher Fitz Whitman; his sisters Grace Dagwell and Laurel Ann Whitman; and his nephew, Brian Richard Miller.

He is survived by his sister Jane McGinnis (Patrick); brothers Michael Whitman (Marilyn) and Patrick Whitman (Cyndi); sisters-in-law Diane Whitman and Mary Ann Lintz; and many beloved nieces and nephews: Cindy, Lynn, Debbie, David, Amy, Justin, Betsy, Jessica, Lindsay, and Cody. He also leaves his former wife, Sofia Whitman, her son Christian, and many cousins.

Kevin was born on January 31, 1959, in Wyandotte, Michigan, and lived in Grosse Ile and Detroit until the age of nine. In 1968, the Whitman family moved north to Indian River, settling in the white house on the hill next to the old Methodist Church overlooking the Indian River and the former Dagwell Boatworks, founded by his great-grandfather in 1878.

Casey fully embraced all that northern Michigan had to offer. He loved skiing at Nub's Nob with family and friends and graduated from Inland Lakes High School in 1977.

After graduation, he moved to Texas in 1978 with his brothers Mark and Chris to work in the oil fields as surveyors, among the original "landmen." While in Texas, he met and married Sofia. When his brothers eventually returned to Michigan, Casey chose to stay, building a successful business-Whitman Trucking-in Dallas. His fleet of big rigs provided brick delivery services to the booming housing market. Texas became a second home to him, rich with friendships and family ties.

Casey was a master hacky sack player, once holding a personal record of more than 2,000 consecutive kicks. He was perhaps best known, however, for his skill at the poker table. He won the Senior World Series of Poker in Durant, Oklahoma, in both 2012 and 2018 and took great pride in teaching many of his nieces and nephews the finer points of the game.

In his later years, Casey returned home to Indian River, where he took up golf. Despite being new to the game, he quickly gave his longtime golfer brother and nephews serious competition. A stickler for the rules, he relished every hole he managed to win and was widely regarded as a natural golfer.

Within the family, Casey was the undisputed instigator-always stirring up "good trouble." He had an insatiable sweet tooth, especially for anything chocolate, and loved fudge, pasties, and Clyde's hamburgers. A devoted sports fan, he was especially passionate about Detroit Lions football. He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Though he spent many years in Texas, Indian River was always home. One of his favorite places was the "Green Docks"-a name he himself helped create. When Casey was about ten years old, his father was repairing the old docks along the bend of the Indian River and decided to paint them. He sent Casey to the garage to fetch a can of paint. There were two choices-red or green-and Casey chose green. The docks have been known as the Green Docks ever since.

A memorial service celebrating Casey's life will be held in the spring at the Green Docks in Indian River. 

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