Chris Whitney

Robert “Chris” Whitney went home to his King Jesus on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Chris was born on April 22, 1950, to Robert Jacob and Rosemarie Whitney in San Diego, later moving to Dublin, California. He was the oldest sibling of five children. Chris attended Amador High School, where he ran track and was a member of the 100-mile-a-week club. He attended California State University and then Chabot College. Getting tired of being broke, he left school and continued his trade of carpentry, which he had started at his “Pop’s” business as a preteen.

In 1973, he met his “beautimous wife,” Ginger, and three years later they were married on April 10, 1976. They lived in Livermore, CA, for a couple of years before moving to Baker City, Oregon, in April of 1978. In 1979, a precious baby girl, Lindsay, was born. In 1981, her sweet sister, Alyssa, joined the family. Chris continued his contracting business, Whitney Construction, in Baker City. He took great pride in his work. He was a perfectionist and put his all into his work. The family spent many adventures in the beautiful mountains surrounding Baker County.

Chris loved to hunt, fish, prospect gold, attend car races and baseball games, and he loved to barbecue and eat good food. He especially loved backpacking; he was so happy to say that he had hiked every drainage in the Wallowa Mountains. He knew that mountain range like the back of his hand. His love for God’s creation was huge.

Chris enjoyed being with his friends and was always ready to lend a helping hand.

He loved his family so much and, through God’s grace, before he went to his home in heaven, he spent a lot of time with them and was blessed to see his first great-grandson born.

He loved his church family. His faith brought him such joy, and it was contagious. His wonderful smile and laugh will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ginger; daughters, Lindsay and Alyssa; sons-in-law, Doug Zemmer and Davey Peterson; grandsons, Ezekiel and Zachariah Zemmer; great-grandson, Zealand Zemmer; and his sisters and brothers, Cathy, Ken, Teresa, and Jerry.

He was preceded in death by his “Pop,” Robert Whitney, and his mother, Rosemarie Whitney.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 20th at Harvest Church, beginning at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Brad Phillips officiating.

Contributions can be made to Harvest Christian Academy, 3720 Birch Street, Baker City, Oregon, or through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814