Gus Whalen

Charles Edward "Gus" Whalen Jr., born April 9, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, passed away on June 21, 2015, at the age of 70. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janelle Rollins Whalen, his children Charles Edward Whalen III and MaryAnn Whalen Campion, son-in-law Kevin Campion, his two grandsons Mason Rossi Campion and Emery Whalen Campion, his mother Doris Atteridge Whalen, his brothers Jeff Whalen and Bill Whalen, his sisters Susan Wood, Molly Whalen, and Kit Whalen Huggard, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gus spent his early years in Three Oaks, Michigan, and Michigan City, Indiana, and then moved to Gainesville, GA, at age 12. He graduated from Gainesville High School, followed by LaGrange College, with dual majors in business and speech. After college, Gus joins the family business - The Warren Featherbone Company. At age 29, he succeeded his father and mother as president and enjoyed 38 years working in the apparel (baby clothes) industry. Thanks to the support and vision of civic-minded investors, Warren Featherbone was transformed in 2005 into the Featherbone Communiversity, which provides real-time collaborative learning in an intergenerational setting. Founding members are Lanier Technical College, Interactive Neighborhood for Kids (INK) and Brenau University. In 2010, The Southern Growth Policies Board named Featherbone Communiversity as the Innovator Award Winner from Georgia. In addition, The Warren Featherbone Foundation was established in 1917 and has in recent years introduced legislation in both houses of Congress to create Personal Philanthropy Accounts which will enable ordinary Americans to tell their family story through giving.

Gus’s civic interests include First Baptist Church (Deacon), Kiwanis Club (Board member, President and Lt. Governor), Gainesville City Schools (Board of Education member for eight years), Leadership Georgia, North Georgia Health System (Board member 20 years, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee and Compensation Committee), Georgia State Workforce Investment Board (Business Representative 2007-2012), and the American Apparel Manufacturers Association (Chairman).

Gus received many special honors, including Ralph Cleveland Distinguished Citizens Award – Boy Scouts of America, Distinguished Service Award – Gainesville State College, LaGrange College Wall of Outstanding Alumni, Man of the Year 2011 – Gainesville, GA Rotary Club, Northeast Georgia Business Hall of Fame 2011 – Junior Achievement of Georgia, Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award 2011 – Brenau University, Honored Recipient, Inspiration Award – Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire, and 2014 – Inaugural President of The Association of Communiversities.

Gus was also a drummer in a band, a private pilot (with commercial and instrument ratings), and the author of four books: The Featherbone Principle, The Featherbone Spirit, The Gift of Renewal, and Hooked at the Roots. He was frequently invited to speak on adapting to change, business transformation and the evolution of Featherbone Communiversity.

A visitation will be held on Tues, June 23, from 6-8pm, with a memorial service on Wed, June 24, at 11am, both at First Baptist Church of Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gus Whalen Hope Fund of the North Georgia Community Foundation (www.ngcf.org/donate).

 Those wishing to leave online condolences for the family of mr. Whalen may do so at www.littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory 355 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.