Heartfelt condolences to family and friends of Kenneth Whalum Sr., a prominent Memphis
minister who also served two terms on the Memphis City Council, who died Oct. 22
from complications of a stroke, according to Memphis Online’s commercial appeal.com.
He was 73.
The retired U.S. Postal Service employee -- a local post office was recently named
in his honor -- and preacher will be remembered for a lifetime of civic and religious
activism.
With little political experience, the senior Whalum ran for the City Council and
won in 1988. He also made a run for county mayor, but lost.
During his council days, Mr. Whalum was known for opposing spending public money
on major capital projects, including Downtown's Peabody Place and a proposed $60
million expansion of the Liberty Bowl.
"My father was a man of fierce integrity and zero fear who loved common people and
used his intellect to advocate for them," son Kenneth said.
Son Kirk, the noted jazz saxophonist, credits his father with helping to launch and
nurture his musical career.
"He was an incredible dad. When I recorded a concert in Washington, D.C., the other
weekend, I dedicated the concert to him," Kirk said. "He bought my first saxophone,
he and my mom. They were very, very supportive of me from the very beginning."
Whalum also leaves his wife, Dr. Rosie Whalum; another son, Kevin Whalum of Nashville;
a sister, Rosemarie Pollard of Memphis, and a brother, Hugh Whalum of St. Louis.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Whalum family.
Kirk, who was slated to headline among jazz titans
on the bill at Gross Communications-owned WLOQ/Orlando’s 30th anniversary extravaganza
on Oct. 27, will be unable to attend, so bassist Wayman Tisdale graciously steps
up to the headliner position. Just as Kirk filled in for “the big man” when he was
sidelined by a malignant cyst on his shin last February and was unable to perform
during treatment, Tisdale now returns the favor -- the way it should be, and the
way it is in smooth jazz.
minister who also served two terms on the Memphis City Council, who died Oct. 22
from complications of a stroke, according to Memphis Online’s commercial appeal.com.
He was 73.
The retired U.S. Postal Service employee -- a local post office was recently named
in his honor -- and preacher will be remembered for a lifetime of civic and religious
activism.
With little political experience, the senior Whalum ran for the City Council and
won in 1988. He also made a run for county mayor, but lost.
During his council days, Mr. Whalum was known for opposing spending public money
on major capital projects, including Downtown's Peabody Place and a proposed $60
million expansion of the Liberty Bowl.
"My father was a man of fierce integrity and zero fear who loved common people and
used his intellect to advocate for them," son Kenneth said.
Son Kirk, the noted jazz saxophonist, credits his father with helping to launch and
nurture his musical career.
"He was an incredible dad. When I recorded a concert in Washington, D.C., the other
weekend, I dedicated the concert to him," Kirk said. "He bought my first saxophone,
he and my mom. They were very, very supportive of me from the very beginning."
Whalum also leaves his wife, Dr. Rosie Whalum; another son, Kevin Whalum of Nashville;
a sister, Rosemarie Pollard of Memphis, and a brother, Hugh Whalum of St. Louis.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Whalum family.
Kirk, who was slated to headline among jazz titans
on the bill at Gross Communications-owned WLOQ/Orlando’s 30th anniversary extravaganza
on Oct. 27, will be unable to attend, so bassist Wayman Tisdale graciously steps
up to the headliner position. Just as Kirk filled in for “the big man” when he was
sidelined by a malignant cyst on his shin last February and was unable to perform
during treatment, Tisdale now returns the favor -- the way it should be, and the
way it is in smooth jazz.
