John Whiting was a key player on the local political scene for decades.

He had been a candidate for Mesa County commissioner, and twice served as chairman of the Mesa County Republican Party. He was also an adviser, supporter and mentor for other GOP candidates in the county.

Whiting was a vocal participant in local debates such as those about land use patterns and creation of a junk ordinance for the county. He was an outspoken advocate for private-property rights.

But politics was hardly the defining undertaking of Whiting’s life. He was a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and deeply involved in church activities. In addition, he was a Whitewater rancher and a singer in the Western reviews his family staged each summer at their Hanging W Ranch.

Through all of these diverse activities, Whiting remained soft-spoken, courteous and always a gentleman.

Whiting died Monday at his home in Whitewater at the age of 75. He served his community, his church and his family well — and he had fun doing it. We join many people throughout Mesa County in offering our condolences to his family.