Karl Amstil Whitley, a man whose hands were as comfortable wrapped around a wrench as they were around a reeling rod, left this earthly garage on the afternoon of Friday, January 31, 2025, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by loved ones. Karl was born October 4, 1935, in Sherwood Content, Trelawny, Jamaica, to Rosetta Hawkins, his mother, who preceded him in death. He was the last surviving sibling; Sadie, Booz, and Valda preceded him in death.

He moved to Belle Glade in the early 1960s, where he met Gloria in 1963, and they married in March of 1964. Karl willingly and actively became the patriarch of her family. They created a life together filled with love, road trips, laughter, fishing trips, and those many trips he traveled for which he stated he was "kidnapped."

Mr. Whitley was an extremely active 89-year-old, or as he'd say, "I'm old, real old, and my life has been great!" Karl wasn't just a mechanic; he was a mechanical magician, a fixer of all things broken, and a master of the fine art of trash talking. Despite his jabs stinging like misplaced power tools, he delivered them with a twinkle in his eye and a heart bigger than any engine block. Whitley imparted the value of hard work, well-placed zingers, and the enduring power of laughter, even self-deprecating laughter, to us.

Grease-stained hands, tall tales, and enough one-liners to fill a comedy club are elements he leaves behind. Mr. Whitley developed his passion for fixing vehicles at a young age. His ability to look, listen, do, and learn was immaculate. He retired as a First-Class Mechanic at Glades Sugar CO-OP, where he had 30-plus years of service. He was very resourceful and consistent; his daily lunch consisted of turkey legs, which he heated using the engine of his work truck as he drove throughout the campus of Glades Sugar.

Mr. Whitley was an extremely active member of the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church community. He served as a member of the Sons of Allen Fellowship. The Fellowship aims to strengthen bonds between men of the church and provide positive role models for young people. As an usher, he served as an ambassador of hospitality and goodwill. As a trustee, he was enthusiastic about managing the church's property, from lawn care to recruiting friends to assist when needed.

Mr. Karl was a true original who could rebuild a carburetor and your confidence with equal skill. Always on the go, he started every one of his retirement mornings by getting a cup of coffee from PDQ. For him, retirement wasn't about stopping; it was about shifting gears. It was his chance to explore different paths and continue contributing in meaningful ways. Even after his "official" retirement, he continued to tinker, fix, and create, always finding ways to stay busy and help others. Whether it was lending a hand to a neighbor with a broken lawnmower, sharing his mechanical wisdom with the younger generation, or delivering meals for Light House Cafe Ministries of the Glades, Karl never stopped serving his community. His retirement years were filled with purpose and joy, proving that age is just a number and that a life well-lived continues to give back.

His wife, children, grandchildren, and countless individuals whose lives he touched with his humor and generosity will dearly miss Mr. Karl.

Preceding Name in death are his mother, Rosetta Hawkins; daughter, Sheila Denise Booth; siblings, Sadie Grant, Booz Hawkins, and Velda Lewin; in-laws, Andrey Oliver, Clarence Oliver, John Oliver, Willie James Oliver, and Wilma Bent; nephews: McKelvin Brown and Delphone Luckas

Remaining to cherish are his spouse, Gloria Smith Whitley; son, Stanley D. Highsmith; daughter-grand, Lakeirra DeShaun Booth; daughter, Karlisia V. Johnson; grandchildren, Eric E. Gowie, Erica G. Akpede, Stankeisha Burchell-Webb, Melony Highsmith, Ya'Rhonda Highsmith, Lasandra Highsmith, Kenyate D. Ellison-Highsmith; great-grandchildren, Eric J. Gowie, Caleb Grimes, Whitley S. Akpede, Kavian Webb, Kenzley Akpede, Jayvian Webb, and Divine Love Gowie; in-laws, Thelma Sterling (Winston), Sharon Pompey (Sam), Elijah P. Pompey (Angela), and Kent Bent; God daughter, Yazmin Lee and a host of other relatives and friends.