Patrick Michael "Mike" Whiteley

Patrick Michael “Mike” Whiteley was born February 20, 1941, in Crescent City, California, to Edith and Pat Whiteley. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and Mary, his wife of 26 years, in the early morning hours of May 28, 2012.

He attended Cave Junction, OR schools for 12 years, graduating as Valedictorian of the Class of 1959, and has enjoyed renewing acquaintances with classmates in recent years as they returned to the valley.

Following his 1963 graduation from Willamette University in Salem, where he received his BA Degree, he entered the Air Force, serving for five years and achieving the rank of Captain.

In 1969, he began a career with Safeco Insurance Company, beginning in the Marketing Department in Portland. From 1976-1978, he was a Marketing Director in Safeco’s Home Office in Seattle, and he returned to Portland in 1979 where he served as Division Manager/Resident Vice President until 1984.

From 1985-1989, Mike was Vice President and Regional Manager of Safeco’s Southwest Region, which included the states of Colorado, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. In 1990, he became Vice President and Manager of the Pacific Northwest Region, and was responsible for the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Alaska.

Upon retirement in 1996, Mike and Mary moved to Medford, where they enjoyed many years with family and friends. Mike loved golfing and enjoyed playing at Rogue Valley Country Club and later Centennial Golf Club.

He renewed his childhood love of fishing and had many good times with his boat in the lakes in Oregon, and he and Mary had many happy years of camping in all areas of the state.

He was first treated for lung cancer in 2003 and again in 2005. Although he remained in remission – which made him a record-setter in many circles – he battled COPD which strengthened its grip on him year by year. His courage throughout his illness was an inspiration to all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his Mother, Father, and cherished sister Toni. He is survived, loved and missed by his wife Mary, his niece Tracy Weaver (children Riley, Trevor & Miranda) and Raquel Fielder (children Mallory, Tori & Ivalee) and he remains our hero.

The family is grateful for the years of expert and loving care given to Mike by Drs. Poisson, Alftine & Haugen and their staffs.

A viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Hull & Hull Chapel with Pastor Dan McCulloch officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Grants Pass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances to the COPD Foundation, 2937 SW 27th Avenue Suite 302, Miami, Florida 33133.