Jonesville, Va./Big Stone Gap, Va.-Robert G. Whitt, Jr, known by most as “Bobby”, passed away after a short illness on March 28, 2025, at Johnson City Medical Center.
He was born on March 2, 1948, in Appalachia, Va. to Robert and Evelyn Whitt. He grew up in Big Stone Gap and graduated from Powell Valley High School in 1966. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp and went to Parris Island, SC on the night of his graduation. He spent 4 years in the Corp, serving several tours in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1970 while stationed at Cherry Point, NC.
After his discharge, he attended Mountain Empire Community College and then went to work as a conductor for Southern Railroad. He retired from Norfolk Southern as a locomotive engineer with over 35 years of service. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. He enjoyed going to the reunions with his fellow Marines he served with in the FLSG-B group and participating in veteran events when he was able.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Evelyn (Lane) Whitt, his grandparents, John and Anise (Shuler) Lane and William and Addie Lou (Richmond) Whitt, his niece Brandy Whitt and many of his fellow Marines he served with in Vietnam.
He is survived by his partner, Alice Clark of the home; children, Robert Whitt, III (Dodie) of London, England, Richard Whitt (Nicole) of Big Stone Gap and Ryan White (Kevin) Of Fort Worth, TX; grandchildren, Abigail, Emily, Bradley, Ella, James and Ben; brothers, Billy Whitt (Susie) and Jimmy Whitt (Debbie); numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and his little dog, Blue. He is also survived by his bonus grandchildren, Samantha, Roger, River, Dalton and Lyla.
As per his wishes, the family will receive friends for a graveside service with military honors on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 11:00am at the American Legion Cemetery. Services will be conducted by Reverend Timothy Robinson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations in his memory to The National Vietnam Veterans Museum, P. O. Box 1779, Weatherford, TX 76086, the Gary Sinise Foundation, Gift Processing Department, P. O. Box 1858, Merrifield, VA 22116-9641 or your favorite veteran’s charity.
The family would like to extend thanks to the staff in the ICU unit at Johnson City Medical Center and Lee County Hospital Emergency for the care and compassion that they gave to Bobby in his final days.