Danny Wayne Whited, of Hot Springs, went into the eternal presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sept. 4, 2021. He is preceded in Heaven by his parents, Fred and Ina Mae Whited.
Danny was born in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 4, 1944. He went to school in Lubbock, Texas. He began an illustrious horse racing career at 16 years of age at Sunland Park in El Paso, Texas. He rode horses as a top-ranking jockey for 26 years, then finished the last 32 years of his career as a distinguished trainer.
Danny met Patty when he was 16, and she was 14. She saw him step out of a car with lightning bolts on his loafers looking like Elvis Presley, and it was love at first sight. They married on Jan. 8, 1963, divorced in 1988, and remarried on June 2, 2014, after Patty gave Danny a Bible as an olive branch in 2009. He in turn received Christ as his Lord and Savior. What followed was the story of a beautiful reconciliation and relationship forged of tenderhearted forgiveness, deep friendship, and unconditional love with Christ at the center. A threefold cord cannot be broken.
Danny deeply loved the Lord, his family, and his friends. He surely loved his dogs (furry kids). He enjoyed everything about horses and horse racing. He also had a voracious appetite for God's Word and Bible study.
Danny is survived by his wife, Patty, daughters, Tracey, and Lisa, brother, David, sisters, Trisha and Shirley, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life at Oaklawn Chapel on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 10:30 a.m. with Rich and Robbi Heffington officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Oaklawn Chapel, P.O. Box 20564, Hot Springs, AR 71913.
The guest registry is at https://www.carriganmemorial.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.