October 27, 1928 - January 24, 2019 OKLAHOMA CITY Don A. Whitten was born in Loco, Oklahoma, October 27, 1928, the firstborn of Thomas Ohona "Jack" and Faye Johnson Whitten (who predeceased him). He went home to be with our Lord on January 24, 2019. He went to 14 schools during his 12 years of elementary, junior high, and high school, graduating from Altus High School in 1947 as a proud Bulldog. He still has his letter jacket with real pigskin sleeves that is tattered and well-worn. During football season, he played guard on both sides of the ball and at halftime, he'd grab his trombone and march with the band in his football uniform. He furthered his education at Oklahoma Baptist University, graduating with a bachelor's degree of Master of Science in Mathematics and a minor in Physics. In order to go to college, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1948 and was recalled to service in 1952. The G.I. Bill was the mechanism that helped him attain his dream, a college degree, for which he was thankful his entire lifetime. Don was raised to the level of Master Mason at the Shawnee Lodge in 1953 and maintained his membership throughout his life. Upon graduation, he went to work for Earl P. Halliburton, driving a truck, which was requisite in those days. He became a practical mechanical engineer and a practical explosives engineer, specializing in the perforation of oil wells. Through the latter part of the 1950s and early 1960s, he worked for Halliburton, Welex (a Halliburton subsidiary), and McCollough Tool Company, which took him from Duncan, Oklahoma, to Houston, Texas. In 1961, he was involved in an explosion on an experimental tool that took two fingers and half his thumb from his left hand. In 1964, he went to work for Allstate Insurance Company in Oklahoma City as an agent and started building a clientele, which he served until 1991 when he retired. In December of 1953, his beautiful sister, Paula Reba Frech, introduced him to her good friend and former locker mate at Classen High School (Class of 1950), Lois Irene Pulliam. He was enamored with her quick wit and her beautiful ankles. They dated for six months and married on June 24, 1954. He loved her dearly and daily. Their favorite song was "Unchained Melody," to which they'd dance slowly whenever it was played; it didn't matter where. This tradition lasted until Lois' passing in 2009. They raised three sons: David Alan, Robert Don, and Daniel Wesley Whitten, who knew they were loved by their parents. David (married to Gayla Jean McMillan Whitten), of Edmond, Oklahoma, had two boys, Lonnie Clark and Brian Grey, and adopted newborn, Ivy Michelle Whitten. Clark is married to Lyndi Whitten, and their children are son, Julian, and daughter, Jaelyn. Brian married Renee, and their children are sons, Grey and Hollis. Ivy is single and a fantastic singer. Gayla has a daughter, Jessica Stone-Simpson, who is married to Luke. Jessica has one son, Raphael, who can do just about anything he puts his mind to. Robert never had children and lives with friend Terry Qualman in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Dan (married to Kimberly Ann Millard Whitten), of Oklahoma City, has two girls, Carrie Markham Maloney and Laura Whitten Booth, and a son, Cale Whitten. Carrie is married to Toby, and their children are Jacquelyn and Josephine. Laura is married to Tim, and her two children are daughters, Shelby and Cambree. Cale is single. Kim's kids are Kristi Millard, whose daughter is Emma and the apple of Kim's eye, and son, Jeff Millard, who is single. Don is survived by his sons, their wives, the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids; his sister, Paula Reba Frech and her husband Carl; brother, Robert Alex Whitten and his wife Kay; and several nieces and nephews, all of whom were revered by Don. His highest and best regards to his family and friends of many years. For more than 30 years, Mother and Dad have supported CBN Ministries. If you care to make a memorial donation, that would be their choice. The family is most grateful for your attendance and wishes you Godspeed in your endeavors. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Resurrection Cemetery Memorial Chapel on Thursday, January 31, 2019.
Published in The Oklahoman on Jan. 27, 2019