Roderick "Rick" Reynolds Whitlow

Roderick “Rick”  Reynolds Whitlow was born on June 15, 1953 to the union of Roderick Reynolds Whitlow and Earlene Elise Whitlow, who later remarried to Robert Lee Perry and became Earlene Perry.

Rick was born and raised in Michigan City, IN. where he attended and graduated from Elston High School in 1971.  During his high school years he flawlessly excelled academically and was also a star athlete who left a life long legacy.  Everyone that knows Rick knows that he was an outstanding football, baseball and basketball player.  He was a star pitcher and quarterback and later on was recruited for all three sports.  Ricky then moved on to college life at Illinois State University which he attended on a basketball scholarship and continued to flourish as a college star athlete.  While attending Illinois State he was an Academic All American and he earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Broadcast Journalism.  During his journey, Rick became a member of the Illinois University Athletic Hall of Fame.  He also was drafted by the NBA’s Rockets and ABA’s Memphis Pro’s but due to a back injury in one of his career last games, he chose a different path in life and decided to go back to Illinois State to complete his undergraduate degree. 

Rick decided to change scenes and headed for Pittsburg, NY where he began his career in news and sports while working for WPTZ-TV. While on this journey he was blessed with his first gift of life, his first and only son Eric Anthony Whitlow.  Rick then continued his career down south in Jackson, MS where he worked as a sports anchor and then became the sports director for WAPT-TV for 25 years. During this experience he was blessed with the second best thing in his life, his only beautiful daughter, Candace Emelia Whitlow.  Ricky changed up his career and ran for Mayor in Jackson, MS in 2005 and 2009.  Although he lost the political battle, he did not let that discourage him or even faze him in the slightest.  He went on to write a book called “Swagger: The Life and Times of Rick Whitlow”.  If you know Rick, then you know he had a serious swag to him and the coolest walk you ever did see. He was fun, loving and quite the comedian. He had no problem politely telling you what was on his mind.  He would host some of the silliest conversations where you would be laughing, laughing and laughing while crying.  He would only smile and maybe give you a cool chuckle. Rick was the definition of a go getter, he never sat still if he could help it.  He was an avid runner and kept in shape.  Working out was just one of the many things he enjoyed doing with his daughter Candace .They shared many personal and intimate moments such as having daily lunches, coffee, sweet tea and an occasional foot rub.  Ricky not only worked out but he pigged out. He loved to eat! He absolutely loved a big bowl of hot apple pie with vanilla ice cream on top. 

On the early morning of March 2, 2021 Rick lost his battle with Leukemia. He’s proceed in death by his father, Roderick Whitlow, step-father, Robert Perry, maternal grandmother, Catherine Kemp, maternal grandfather, Earl Williams, maternal step-grandfather, Clarence T. Kemp, paternal grandfather, Andrew Whitlow, paternal grandmother Lula Whitlow, and one brother Adrian Whitlow.  Rick leaves to cherish his memories, 2 children, Eric Whitlow, Jackson, MS: Candace Whitlow, Atlanta, GA: One grandson, Dallas Whitlow : His darling and loving Mother, Earlene Perry: 3 brothers, Larry Whitlow, Michigan City, IN: Keith Whitlow, Michigan City, IN: William “Bill” Whitlow, Riverview, FL. 4 sisters, Cheryle Spicer, Houston, TX: Thereasa Pollard, Minneapolis, MN: Francis (Ralph) Leggett, Michigan City, IN and his loving baby sister Gisele Perry. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will truly miss him dearly.

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