Michael V. Whisman

Mick Whisman

Mick was a caring and loving man, who was always ready to give out his big “bear hugs” when they were needed.  Born in Oregon, he lived most of his life in Sonoma County, California.  He served in the Navy after high school, eventually becoming a Navy Corpsman where he specialized in psychiatry, emergency and critical care.  He was highly regarded in the Navy, and was the Corpsman preferred by several generals when they were ill.  After leaving the Navy in 1981, Mick went on to college, obtaining a degree in computer science in 1985.  Realizing that he missed caring for people, he went back to college and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1989.  As an RN, he worked in psychiatric facilities, but found that he most enjoyed working in pediatrics, eventually specializing in critical homecare for very sick children.  One of his fondest wishes was to retire and spend his time holding and rocking sick babies in the NICU to sooth them.  His love of children went beyond nursing, and he was the coach for many years for several soccer and little league teams, as well as serving as a referee and umpire for various children’s sports leagues.  Mick was fanatical about sports, and was a staunch fan of NASCAR.  He led a life filled with love and laughter, retaining many friendships with people from his high school and Navy years.  He never hesitated to help someone, and all of his patients and friends knew that they could call him day or night when they needed help, advice, or a sympathetic ear. 

Mick was predeceased by his younger brothers Steve Whisman and Timothy Whisman.  He leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary Swinson; his son, Michael Whisman; his step-children, Andrea Swinson and Steven Swinson; his son-in-law, Patrick Barr; his sisters Susan Whisman and Patty Whisman; numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and all of the wonderful friends that he made over the years.  He will be greatly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mick can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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