Roy Whitehead

September 22, 1944 – May 31, 2026

Roy Whitehead, 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born in Wahiawā on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaii, Roy lived a life defined by deep purpose, boundless empathy, and an unwavering commitment to caring for others.

Above all else, Roy loved his family and cared fiercely for people. This love naturally carried over into his long, impactful career as a dedicated social worker and therapist. Roy truly found his calling in helping others navigate their darkest moments. He was always available to his loved ones and would answer your call anytime, night or day. With a rare gift for transforming tragedy into healing through humor, he lived by the mantra, "When you're laughing, you're healing." He turned his own early life hardships into a deep well of wisdom, anchoring his practice and his life around his core philosophy of T.A.K.E.—Tolerance, Acceptance, Kindness, and Encouragement. To so many, Roy was that vital "one person in your corner" who never doubted their ability to be their own hero.

Beyond his professional life, Roy possessed a profound awe and appreciation for the world around him. He had a remarkable green thumb and spent countless peaceful hours working with his plants. A man of quiet curiosity, he loved taking long drives simply to admire architecture, structures, and buildings. His sharp mind and love for geography meant his children and grandchildren were frequently treated to affectionate pop quizzes about the map. Roy was also a massive sports fan, never missing the excitement of March Madness basketball. He will be forever remembered for his silly, brilliant sense of humor, his calm presence in times of crisis, and his fierce dedication to making those around him feel safe, valued, and loved.

Roy is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Jeanne Whitehead; his children, Shawn (Jerome) Hunsinger, Joy (Mike) Penrose, and Adam Whitehead; his cherished grandchildren, Zachary (Meggie) Hunsinger, Tiffany Hunsinger, Emma Penrose, Zoey (Corbin) Green, and Jacob Penrose; and his great-grandchildren, Henry, Liesl, and Ruthie Hunsinger. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Grace Whitehead; his nephews, Christopher (Missy) Whitehead, Christopher Sax, and Jason Sax; his niece, Emily Polanco, who loved him dearly; and his great-nieces, Edie Sax and Aliana Polanco.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Alice, and his brother, Bob Whitehead.

A celebration of life will be held on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21st, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Sawmill Woods Community Clubhouse, located at 6105 Crofton Dr., Fort Wayne, IN. To carry forward Roy’s love for nature and celebrate his beautiful life, the family invites you to plant a tree or add a new plant to your collection in his memory.