Kenneth Gordon Whitwell, 93, was born in Rochelle, Texas on January 14, 1925 to James Oscar Whitwell and Lois Luella (Sawyer) Whitwell ROSE and passed away on January 27, 2018 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He moved to Lamar, Oklahoma at a very young age, around 2 years old, by way of wagon. Then later the family moved to Oklahoma City, where Kenny went to school until the 4th grade. The family moved again to Maumee, Arkansas where he attended grammer school and later went to school in Yellville, Arkansas. The family moved back to Oklahoma City where Kenny attended some high school at Capitol Hill. Kenny did not graduate high school, instead he joined the Marines in 10th grade, enlisting on April 9, 1943. He was a WWII vet. Some of his basic training for the Marine Corp was boot camp in Pendleton, CA and Mare Island, CA, before he went into active duty. He was first stationed in Guam, then onto Iwo Jima, then back to Guam. His unit took over Guam for the air base so that our US troops could have a place to land between Guam and Japan Proper, otherwise the aircraft would not have enough fuel. His unit was loading the ship to dispatch to Japan at the time the “A” Bomb was dropped. The unit unloaded the ship and he was sent back to Mare Island, CA before receiving his honorable discharge from the Marines in December 1945. After returning to Oklahoma, Kenny began working at Tinker AFB where he met and married Ora “Max” Whitwell in 1953. Kenny ended up working at Tinker AFB for 30 years. They were married for almost 47 years, living in Harrah since 1965. Kenny is most well known for being a founding member of the Harrah Round-Up Club. He wrote the by-laws for the club and was extremely active until it closed down. Another well known memory for all who knew Kenny was around Christmas time, how he and his horse, Migo, would dress up in a Santa suit and reindeer attire, with Jerry Fish as their helper, and visit various families and events bringing cheer and joy to all. This was a tradition that span 47 years. Kenny loved to pass out the candy to the children and would always dismount from the oversized ‘reindeer’ and let the children sit on his lap to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. He and his wife, Max, were members of the Methodist church. He was a Christian and he was saved. Everyone who knew Kenny, knew and loved him, and knew of his wonderful, patient and kind personality. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ora “Max” Whitwell; both his parents; step-father, W.B. Rose; sister at age 4, Luella; brothers Gilbert and Charles Whitwell; step-grandson, Eddie Williams; and his companion for 16 years, Rita Harrison. He is survived by sister, Joan Rose McCurdy; step-daughter, Mary Jo Harris; step-grandson, Jonathan Williams; step-great granddaughter, Tasha Simms and her husband, Matt; step-great great granddaughter, Victoria Brotherton and husband, Hunter; step-great great grandson, Grant Rose; nephews, Mike and Billy Whitwell; niece, Vicki Gordy; extended family, Jerry and Donna Fish, and a host of family and friends.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
10:00am - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Asa Smith Funeral Service
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Harrah Church
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