Harry Cassels Whitehead, Sr.

Harry Cassels Whitehead, Sr., passed away on August 19, 2024 in Gainesville, GA. Harry was born to the late Richard Kramer Whitehead, Sr. and Sara Nisbet (Cassels) Whitehead in Atlanta, GA, on December 4, 1941. He graduated from Druid Hills High School in three years, and was state champion in the half-mile run in 1958 with a time of 2:04.1.

Always a man of logic and numbers, he graduated from Georgia Tech in 1962 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society and Sigma Chi fraternity. As an ROTC cadet, he served as Cadet Colonel Regimental Commander. He received the Superior Cadet Ribbon Award in 1961 and the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement for the most outstanding of the 22,000 cadets in the XII U.S. Army Corps.

Harry completed airborne training at Fort Benning then served in Korea at Camp Kaiser in the Seventh Infantry Division from 1963-1964. Upon his return, Harry worked in the family business before establishing his own boat sales company. In the 1980s, he established Mariah Construction and began developing real estate in Lumpkin County. He served as President of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce in 1987 and was an active member of the Rotary club for many years. An avid reader and history buff, he also loved sailing (including racing), boating, and Georgia Tech football.

Harry is survived by his wife Janice Lee Wood Whitehead, sister Lynda Kincaid (Ron), and three children: Harry Cassels (Cass) Whitehead, Jr. (Susan), Dr. Jessica Beier (Doug), and Dr. Jax Lee Wood Whitehead.

A celebration of life will be held at Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville, GA, on September 21, 2024 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at: LBDA.org.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.