Luther Bradley Whatley

In middle school while in class, he saw a plane in the sky through the classroom window and told his teacher that he wanted to learn how to fly and build airplanes. So in 1938, at the age of 19, after completing a correspondence course, Luther left home with a one-way ticket to California, settling in Burbank to become an aeronautical engineer. Later, Luther worked at North American Aviation, where he contributed to the design and building of the P51 Mustang fighter.

At a dance at the German Hall, Luther met and fell in love with Thelma Seacat who he married on January 1st, 1943, in Highland Park, California. As World War II raged, Luther enlisted and joined the Army’s Air Corps and was trained as a navigator due to his strength in mathematics. As a First Lieutenant, he navigated an amazing 31 missions over France and Germany in a Boeing B17 Flying Fortress bomber.

Shortly after leaving the service and returning to southern California, he settled his family in South Pasadena and founded his own construction company. Luther and his wife raised three children, all graduates of South Pasadena schools and California universities. Summers would be spent road-tripping around the US, visiting iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore and camping at others such as the Grand Canyon. Luther and his son took part in Indian Guides and Boy Scouts whenever he could spare the time.

However, when the US entered the Korean war in 1950, Luther was called back into service, again as a navigator, and flew reconnaissance missions over the battlefield. After his time in the service came to an end, he returned to his family in South Pasadena, and resumed his contracting business. Looking for more financial stability, he took a position of Senior Inspector for the city of Los Angeles’ building department. For the next three decades, Luther traveled back and forth across the city to various now iconic constructions sites, ensuring safety standards were met at each; he became known for his precision, thoughtfulness, and creativity for solving difficult and challenging problems.

Finally, in 1985, Luther retired, to devote time to his family and help friends and neighbors with their own building projects, especially when they lacked the expertise or needed advice. Luther had several hobbies. He was an avid dancer, a clarinet player, and a multi-published poet. Ever the athlete, Luther skied until the age of 90, taking yearly trips with his son to Mammoth to hit the slopes. His love for learning never waned. Luther was constantly reading and had subscriptions to many magazines and audio programs from Great Courses, always looking to increase his understanding of history, biblical archeology, medicine’s effect on physiology, current events, and esoteric biblical symbolism.

He remained a devoted member of the Calvary Presbyterian Church in South Pasadena till at 100 health concerns intruded. He embodied a man who grabbed what life had to offer and modeled being self-responsible, accountable and loving.

He is survived by 3 children and 3 grandchildren: Corella Gail Whatley-Scott and her husband Michael Scott; Gary Whatley, his wife Renee Rolle-Whatley and their daughter Saroya Whatley; and Laurel Adler, her husband Glenn Adler and their children Travis Adler and Brittany Adler.

He is also survived by his family in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Luther was blessed with a long, and well-lived life of learning, service, and faith. His family is grateful to have had so much time with him.