David Frank WHITLOW

March 11, 1943 - July 31, 2020

David Frank Whitlow, 77, of Hot Springs Village passed away on July 31, 2020, holding his wife, Diana’s, hand and surrounded by his children. David was born to Shelton and Ferne Whitlow in Houston, TX, on March 11, 1943, and moved to Hot Springs in 1960. He graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1961 and from Arkansas Polytechnic College (Arkansas Tech University) in 1965 with a B.S. in Business and Economics. He wore his Wonder Boy colors proudly, and education was his lifelong calling. David read voraciously and was a fountain of useful (and sometimes useless) knowledge which he proudly shared with his family. At the age of 53, he began pursuing a master’s degree in Business Management from Webster University, commuting regularly in the evenings to Little Rock for four years, graduating in 2000. One of his proudest accomplishments, however, was a single college credit in fly-tying, taught by Sister Carol Anne Corley, the fly-tying nun.

David and his father were for many years “Whitlow and Son”, developing subdivisions and building houses in and around Hot Springs. Later, he joined the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District where he worked with local officials to author environmental, health, and economic plans.

In 1983, David’s background, affinity for analyzing “how things work”, and ability to get people to work together lead him to the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association. He served 28 years there, most of that time as Director of Public Works, where he oversaw the expansion of much of the Hot Springs Village infrastructure. It was a job he respected and loved.

David was involved in public service throughout his life. In Hot Springs, he was a charter member of Mid-America Lions Club, charter member and president of the Homebuilders Association, and deacon of the First Christian Church, and he was also involved in gubernatorial and presidential campaigns. In Hot Springs Village, he served as a director and president of the Village Peoples Federal Credit Union, and he was especially proud to be charter member the HSV Rotary Club.

As a former Texan, David loved American and Texas history, the Alamo, and Willie Nelson. He loved spending time with his wife and kids: boating, walking in the woods, collecting stones, golfing, and fishing. He had a signature white (he would say “blonde”) mustache, a wry smile (some would call it a smirk), and an incredibly dry sense of humor. His family will dearly miss his weather reports, car safety lessons, frugality tips, political discussions, and stories about growing up in Texas with his family.

David was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother (Leon Whitlow), and sister (Virginia Stevens). He will be celebrated always by the love of his life, Diana Whitlow of Hot Springs Village; and by his children, Richard Scott Whitlow (Angela Whitlow) of Rogers, AR; David Bryan Whitlow of Fayetteville, AR; and Erin Davis Shedd (David Shedd) of Columbus, OH; his stepdaughter from a previous marriage, Lysa Dickerson Lawless of Hot Springs, AR; and his four grandchildren, Austin, Connor, Liliana, and Brendan.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time when his friends and family can safely hug, laugh, and share memories of David.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Hot Springs Village Community Foundation, PO Box 8024, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909

Contributed on 5/29/22 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1434333

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