Robert "Whit" Edward Whitfield

Robert “Whit” Edward Whitfield, 75 of Asheboro passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022, while working out at a local gym.  He was married to Randy Long Whitfield for 31 years after reconnecting at their 25th high school reunion. Whit was the son of Paul Loma Whitfield and Magaline Weaver Whitfield. He graduated from Durham High School in the class of 1965; East Carolina University in 1969 with a BA in History and North Carolina Central University in 1978 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) degree in law. Later, he attended the University of Tennessee, taking education courses, and completed an internship in Social Studies at Halls High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Whit proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1973 in the Vietnam War. After his service, he practiced law from 1978 to 2020 in Durham and surrounding counties.

He was a lifelong athlete. In high school he was a record holder on the track team where he was a record holder and was on the track team at East Carolina University for three years. He loved all sports and played slow-pitch softball and basketball for Church Leagues and played for tennis leagues throughout his life. He joined the Raleigh Galloway Marathon Training Program when he was in his 50s and was a team leader in several running groups where he taught people how to run half and full marathons. Members of his running groups loved all the stories and thought it was amazing how he could remember all the events he had ever been in and what his finishing times were. He was also in the 50 States Marathon group and completed running a marathon in 38 states. He loved going to his children and grandchildren’s sporting events, even helping out coaching some events.  

He loved being around people, talking to friends and family members and even complete strangers. He would always share stories about some older runner at the gym or a cashier at a local grocery store. He loved watching movies and tv series and would even watch some 2-3 times. He had a fantastic memory and could repeat many lines from old movies and tv shows. He loved all the dogs he ever owned, especially Jake, Casey, and his current puppy Shadow (Chocolate Lab) who cannot understand why he is not with her. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gerald Wayne Whitfield. He is survived by his wife Randy, his son Robert “Robbie” Whitfield (Kevin), daughter Leslie W. Shoaf (Chad) and grandson (Brendan), and his brother Paul L. Whitfield, and nieces and nephews. Additionally, he is also survived by Randy’s children Kellie Telarico (Mark), Carrie Coleman (Rusty), Chad Branson (Stephanie) and grandchildren Kayla Lashley, Alex Coleman, Cam Coleman, Coen Branson, and Bella Branson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to the Randolph County Honor Guard, P.O. Box 1672, Asheboro, NC 27204. There will be a visitation on Sunday, October 30 at 3PM with a slide show of pictures from his life and family will greet people before and after. The service will begin at 4PM Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro.