Carroll H. Whitaker, 80, of Dawsonville, died Thursday, April 22, 2010.

Born Nov. 11, 1929 in Winston Salem, N.C. to the late William Everett and Frankie Jane Whitaker, he had lived in Dawson County for the past 20 years, having moved from Merritt Island, Fla.

Mr. Whitaker was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

While in the armed service, he learned electronics and communications. After his discharge, he began a career with General Dynamics doing electrical contract work for NASA.

He worked on many NASA projects, including their satellite program, the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle program and retired after over 30 years of service.

A man of many talents, he especially enjoyed shrimping and his dogs.

His son, Anthony "Tony" DeLong; sisters, Gwen "Sis" Maddry, Judy Ralston; and a brother, William Whitaker, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Whitaker of Dawsonville; children, Greg and Sandy DeLong of Deland, Fla., Debbie and Jeff Brown of Warren, Ohio, Sandra and Richard Kritikos, Karen Delong, all of Dawsonville; sisters, Joyce Smith of Murfreesboro, N.C., Frances Chaplin of Durham, N.C.; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. April 25 at the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tim Biddy officiating. Interment followed in Sawnee View Gardens.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.