Taylor and Shannon Whitley
Our Inspiring Namesake
The Foundation honors the life and legacy of Taylor Whitley, our dear friend and USA DeBusk colleague who passed away unexpectedly from cardiovascular disease in 2018.
Taylor Whitley was a beloved husband, father, mentor, and friend. He was an accomplished athlete, having played football at the collegiate level for Texas A&M University and for professional teams in the National Football League. He was also an astute businessman with a successful career in industrial services. But he was perhaps best known for his steadfast work ethic and genuine desire to serve others.
It is these personal qualities we seek to honor in naming this foundation and in recognizing its recipients.
"Show Up. Give A Flip. Repeat."
Taylor's life was defined by action, whether at home, at work, on the football field, in his community, or within his church. He believed in goodness, kindness, and generosity - not just in words but in deeds.
His philosophy was expressed in a favorite motto: "Show Up. Give A Flip. Repeat."
We carry on Taylor's convictions in selecting students for awards.
Our scholarships are not focused purely on academic excellence but on living out the spirit of “Showing Up” — the extraordinary act of making a difference in someone else’s life by valuing them more than yourself.
After all, that's the way Taylor would want it.
