Austin Webb, a senior at Greenon High School, drew the chalk art memorial of Whitt to say thanks to Whitt, who he described as a special teacher who had a positive impact on students.
“He was such an important teacher … He would make sure kids in the class would understand and really get down to the basics of it,” Webb said. “And it wasn’t just grades for him. It was teaching kids a lesson and teaching them about the importance of American History.”
Whitt taught eighth grade American history for 14 years at Schaefer Middle School, 16 years at Indian Valley Middle School, and coached track and football at Schaefer and Greenon Local Schools, according to his obituary.
He retired in 2015.
“Everyone knew Mr. Whitt, even kids that didn’t have him,” Webb said.
Tom Jenkins, a Greenon teacher, said Whitt mentored him for more than 20 years as an educator and a coach.
Jenkins recalled Whitt taking Clark County students to Washington, D.C. and teaching history, as well as life lessons, on the bus.
In addition, he said during the trip the group would participate in karaoke contests as well as stress the need to be a good person and a good citizen.
“He always pushed us to be better. He was very honest. He was very concerned and he wanted us to be better people. He was one of those people you have in your life that always pushes you to be better and to excel and he was always there along the way,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said a Jeff Whitt Scholarship Fund will be set up at Security National Bank in Enon. The scholarships will go to this year’s freshmen, sophomore and juniors to help them through their college career.
“These would have been the kids that Jeff would have had that he’s already left an imprint on and hopefully we can help them be successful,” Jenkins said.
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