Judy Whitson passed away in her sleep in the early morning hours of April 14. Her family was told that the cause of death was congestive heart failure. She was the wife of Tex Whitson, a great friend of Filipino Americans and the Filipino people.

Judy leaves behind sad-and-loving family members: daughter Trudy, son-in-law Nick, granddaughter Cressy, daughter Tammy and granddaughter Teilah, brother Ron Lane and sister-in-law Sandy. She had a wonder dog named Shamie and a barn full of nieces and nephews and youngsters who called her "Aunt Judy."
 
Judy was the most-caring of people. She had the kindest heart of any human. Seldom without a smile, she had always kind words for friends, kin and all. A lover of Country Music and was probably and absolutely the  best dancer ever to grace the floor. She was a good sportswoman and enjoyed company. She loved to hunt fish and shoot trap. She was a member of the Inyokern Trap Club for several years. She loved the outdoors, especially when it was snowing. Judy was also a bird lover and great gardener.
 
Judy was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, on November 28, 1939, to Del and Pearl Lane. She attended schools in Texas before traveling to California with her family. She was a graduate of Trona High School.
 
Judy married Bobby (Tex) Whitson in Ridgecrest, California. They lived there for many years, raising the family before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, to join the staff of Benny Binion’s Horseshoe Casino. Judy worked as a hostess, meeting and greeting people from all parts of the world.

Tex and Judy helped many Filipino Americans get employed at the Binion’s in Las Vegas and cultivated friendship with them even after he retired. Tex appeared as a narrator of history of Southern Nevada in the “Mabuhay, Las Vegas” talk show hosted by this writer at KRLV-AM radio station in 2004 to 2005. He regaled the audience with stories about the first Filipino woman card dealers. He told more stories about the Filipino leather craftsmen who made cowboy boots in a shop at the Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Downtown Las Vegas. During several occasions, Judy would host the radio talk-show anchors and of course Tex at the Binion’s after the live broadcast ended.
 
Judy’s friends in Nevada friends will celebrate her life and times on Saturday, 19 April, in Blue Diamond, Nevada. A memorial service will be held later in Ridgecrest, California, where she has so many friends and kin. The date will be announced later. There are no words to describe how her family and friends, especially her best friend and lover and husband Tex, will miss her. # # #