Alan Kenneth Whitten of Laneville died on February 6, 2026, at his second home in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, after a long illness.
He was born to Mays Kenneth and Mary Jim Whitten on May 15, 1952. Alan spent most of his life in Rusk County, but he loved to travel. He often shared stories with family and friends about his backpacking trips through Europe, the United States, Israel, and Mexico, and the ideas he picked up along the way.
After graduating from Kilgore High School, he earned degrees in Psychology and English from SFA but chose to work in agriculture. Over the years, he worked closely with Ronnie and Nowell Borders of Borders Melon Co. and partnered with Kurt Denney in D&W Regeneration.
Alan was known for his willingness to lend a helping hand at local events and was an active supporter of Laneville community initiatives. He mentored younger farmers in the area, often sharing his expertise and encouraging sustainable practices. Alan also served on the Laneville Fall Festival committee, where he helped organize activities and bring people together. His commitment to his hometown and its people left a lasting impression on those who knew him.
Even though he traveled a lot, Alan always considered the family farm in Laneville his true home. He often called his wife Marina and their children, Zachary and Lorna, to stay connected. Many will remember Alan at the Laneville Volunteer Fire Department fish fry, standing by the grill with a big smile as he helped serve the community and shared a joke or two with neighbors. He loved watching the fireworks each Fourth of July from the field by his house, surrounded by friends and family. The family took annual trips to Mexico, and sometimes his brother, Nathan, joined him on road trips. All the miles he traveled made him relate to Jimmy Webb’s song The Highwayman: “I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride…. I am still around, I’ll always be around.”
Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Mays Kenneth and Mary Jim Gallaway Whitten; his brother, Nathan Whitten; his mother-in-law, Matilde Bahena Cardenas; his father-in-law, Fidencio Cardenas Montero; and his nephew, Carlos Samano Cardenas.
He is survived by his wife, Marina Whitten; his son, Zachary Whitten; his daughter, Lorna Whitten; his sister, Rosemary Whitten; and his niece, Johanna Whitten. On Marina’s side, he is survived by his sisters-in-law: Petra Cardenas Flores (married to Lencho; children: Armando, Karina, and Mariela), Maria Elena Cardenas (children: Martha, Abel, Marcos, Lidia, Raquel, and Paloma), and Rosa Marina Cardenas (daughters: Judith and Mariana); and his brother-in-law, Raul Cardenas (married to Zulema). He is also remembered by many cousins and extended family.
A velorio funerario (wake) was held in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, on February 6, 2026. A family memorial will be scheduled in Laneville at a later date. The family expects to announce the date and details soon. For updates about the Laneville memorial service, friends and community members may contact the family directly or check with the Laneville Cemetery office. Donations in memory may be made to Laneville Cemetery, 13222 FM 225 S., Laneville, Texas 75667.
Author: G. William Hood
Author, Columnist, Educator, Epistemologist, and Publisher
