Vincent L. Whitney

Vincent L. (Lee) Whitney was born in Santa Barbara on August 10, 1940 to Vernon LeRoy Whitney and Naomi Ruth Whitney. Lee was a life-long resident of Santa Barbara/Goleta, attending local schools and Santa Barbara City College. Lee passed away on May 23, 2024.

Lee spent eight years in the United States Marine Corp Reserves while working as a journeyman clerk for Jordano’s grocery store and Santa Barbara County. He first joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1965, and in 1980 transferred to the Marshal’s Office, from which he retired in 1996.

Lee’s passion was for fast sport motorcycles and cars, primarily Corvettes. For years Lee and his wife Claudia were members of a co-ed motorcycle club and later the Santa Barbara Corvette Club, where Lee held several offices, including President.

Lee was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He is greatly missed.

Lee is survived by his wife of 50 years, Claudia, and their sons Michael Whitney (wife Selena) and John Whitney (wife Bonnie), and daughters from a prior marriage, Tracey Whitney and Caroline Whitney. Lee is also survived by his grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Orion Claydon-Kiskaden-Whitney, Gavin Whitney, Jordan Kuykendall, Cameron Whitney-Giordano, Michael Buoni and Everett Buoni. Lee also leaves behind many close family members and friends.

Lee is predeceased by his parents, Vernon and Naomi Whitney; his sister, Vera Lee Hill; and his granddaughter, Andromeda Grace Whitney.