Johnny Wayne Whitley

February 29, 1952 — November 29, 2023

Johnny Wayne Whitley passed away November 29, 2023 unexpectedly at his home, with his wife, Tesa, by his side. Johnny was born in Odessa, Texas February 29, 1952 along with his twin sister Vicki. Being a twin and a leap year baby, Johnny reveled at being the oldest twin and youngest of his friends, with a birthday every 4 years.

During his growing-up years, Johnny spent many summers at the Whitley farm in Pearsall, Texas. There with his brothers and sister, they built and repaired fences and cattle pens.

One summer he drew up the plans for cattle pens. His Dad bought the materials and along with his brother built better cattle pens.

Johnny graduated from Odessa High School in 1970 where he excelled in track. He attended Lamar Tech in Beaumont on a track scholarship and continued his education at Southwest Texas State and Odessa College. At Odessa College, Johnny took drafting classes and discovered his passiondrawing, creating and using his imagination.

His first job was working for Sivalls, Inc as a draftsman designing oilfield equipment. He also began buying Corvettes, repairing and repainting as needed, then reselling them at a profit. One of the first houses he designed and built was for his Father, Harold in 1982. This same house suffered a fire in the garage in 2008, so Johnny was there, equipped with tools in hand, completely tore out all the debris single handedly. Johnny was certainly not afraid of hard work.

Johnny met his loving partner Tesa in 1991, and they soon began creating, developing and managing real estate projects all over Texas. They were married in 1997. Tesa followed her “Mountain Man” anywhere he wanted to go and was by his side every day moving on to new adventures. They were as one.

In the 80’s Johnny started his company “Whitley Homes”. He designed and built over 100 homes in the Midland/Odessa area for 30 years. His last residential development was a 69 lots in Green Tree North, prominent Bent Tree Estates and exclusive private area “ The Greens”. Johnny never built the same home twice. He drew his own plans by hand, no computer generated drawings. His perfection was instrumental in his construction at every level. In 2002, he completed his Midland development and decided his new project with Tesa would be investing and developing ranches. he began his projects in Coleman County and successfully moved his projects to over 17 counties in Texas. He did all the land development work himself. He took pride in completing these projects himself.

Johnny was proceeded in death by his Father Harold C. Whitley, nephew Elliott Whitley, grandson Timothy Whitley, and sister-in-law Sherry Whitley.

Johnny is survived by his mother, Helen J. Morris, and by his wife, love and life partner, Tesa M. Whitley. Other survivors are brothers, Douglas Whitley, Jimmy Whitley and wife Mim, twin sister and best bud Vicki and her husband Javier, sons Jeremy Whitley and wife Connie, Shae M. Jones and wife Sloane, Stacy Ray Jones and wife Christina. Grandchildren are Nolan Whitley, MaryAnn Jones, Stacy M. Jones, Shelby A. Jones, Thomas S. Jones and Rhae C. Jones. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and his special Aunt Barbara and her husband Bob.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 17th -11am at the Delta Church 3990 U.S. Hwy 281 Marble Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Ange-lo, Texas 76904 or a charity of your choice.

“Often in life where it appears to be an ending is really a glorious beginning”