Ulysses C Whitehead
June 7, 1941 - September 1, 2007
Obituary
Ulysses C. Whitehead, Ph.D., 66, always helping his patients in need.
Known for his charismatic friendliness and years of hard work in helping his patients with substance abuse issues, to childhood friends, he was simply known as “Doc”.
Ulysses passed away, due to natural causes, in his home on September 1, 2007.
Born on June 7, 1941 in Greenwood, Mississippi to the proud parents of Persey Whitehead and Ella Mae Sanders. At the age of five, Ulysses moved with his mother and sister, Melzena to Seattle, which later became the foundation for his true home.
Ulysses attended Garfield High where he played football and started thinking about his future in psychology. Many may not know, but on the football field is where he was nicknamed “Doc”.
After high school, Ulysses attended Western Washington for a couple of years and transferred to the University of Washington where he received his undergraduate degree.
In continuing his dream of becoming a psychologist, Ulysses attended the University of Oregon and because he was a true athlete at heart, Ulysses worked as an athletic counselor and soon received his Doctorate Degree in Psychology in the summer of 1975. Ulysses moved back to the Seattle area to begin his private practice in psychology, specializing in substance abuse.
Ulysses spent the rest of his professional career helping numerous patients in need through his psychological guidance.
To his family who knew him best, they loved him for his distinct sense of humor, his flaws and engaging personality. There has never been a time when he entered a Starbucks Coffee restaurant and a barista didn’t know his name and the way he loved his latte.
For those who were in contact with “Doc” in his last years, they knew that he suffered from many health problems, but was also a fighter. To his family, they knew that his full life had worn his body out and that he was ready to rest.
Ulysses is survived by; sons Nicholas John and Marcellus Jason, his daughter Crystal Rae, ex-wife Gloria Bernard whom he remained close friends with, his mother Ella Mae Sanders, his sister Melzena May, many aunts, uncles and cousins, and the lives he touched of countless friends and patients that are too many to list.
Please join Ulysses’ family in Celebrating His Life. All are invited to attend Memorial Services on Monday, September 10th at 11:00 a.m. at the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church, located at 126 15th Avenue, Seattle with reception to follow.
Rest in peace my childhood friend and neighbor. I did not know.I have been living away from Seattle for some time. I will miss my friend deeply.