Gene ‘Whit’ Whitaker

Gene L. “Whit” Whitaker, 82, passed away June 11, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City after a year-long battle with lung disease.

Gene was born Dec. 2, 1938, in Salem, Ill., to Russell G. Whitaker and Wilma Lee Chenoweth Whitaker.

At the age of 13 months, Gene’s mother, along with a baby boy, passed away while giving birth.

Gene was raised by his maternal grandparents Hugh L. & Alice Chenoweth in Susank, Kan.

He attended elementary school in Susank and graduated high school at Hoisington Rural High School in Hoisington, Kan., with the class of 1956.

After graduation, he joined the Air Force and served four years.

Coining home from the military, Gene started working in the oil industry, working for several major companies until he started his own consulting business, J. W. Comp. Services in Kingfisher.

Gene was a devout Christian and a member of the Kingfisher United Methodist Church; Elks Lodge No. 2416, where he served as a trustee; and American Legion Post No. 0286, for 46 years.

Gene married Melva Jean Franklin on Dec. 29, 1973. Jean passed away Jan. 15, 2006.

Gene then married Dorothy Templing Justice on Sept. 4, 2011, in Hoisington, Kan.

Gene is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children Jennifer Swindell and husband Michael of Eufaula, son Levi Whitaker of Edmond; stepchildren Brent Justice of McPherson, Kan., Brian Justice and wife Dorothy of Kennesaw, Ga.; Jean’s children Katt Powers and Barbara Taylor, both of Oklahoma City; numerous step-grandchildren and numerous step-great-grandchildren and a host of friends and other relatives.

Gene was preceded in death by wife, Jean; his birth parents Russell and Wilma Whitaker and his maternal grandparents Hugh and Alice Chenoweth.

Graveside services were Wednesday, June 16, at Kingfisher Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Kingfisher First United Methodist Church or Kingfisher Elks Lodge.