Thomas Harley Whitaker, age 76, entered into the Gates of Heaven on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in Waxahachie, Texas.
Thomas was born on Saturday, May 4, 1945, in Morris, Oklahoma. He enjoyed his years in Morris with his brothers Jimmy, Jerry, Donnie and sisters Shirley, Judy and Mary. At Liberty-Morris High School, Thomas excelled at basketball winning all-conference and being lead scorer in many games. After finishing high school, he joined his family moving to Allen, Oklahoma, and quickly became a part of the Allen community.
In 1963, Thomas enrolled in East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma. Upon completing course work for Industrial Arts and Physical Education, he was accepted at Allen High School to complete clinical teaching. In 1970, Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Industrial Arts and minor in Physical Education from East Central State College. Following graduation, Thomas became a licensed Educator by the Oklahoma Department of Education on July 1, 1970.
After graduation, he was hired by Calvin High School to teach Industrial Art and coach the girls’ basketball team. Years later, the opportunity of surveying opened and he worked several years crisscrossing the country as a pipeline surveyor with his older brother Donnie.
Ultimately, Thomas found his lifelong career with Union Pacific Railroad. For 35 years, he road the rails across Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas as a switchman and conductor.
Thomas served our country in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, Headquarters 1st Battalion 180th Infantry, from 1966-1972. His military qualifications were sharpshooter, M1 Rifle, and decorated Marksmanship. With his aim, Thomas enjoyed archery and hunting, and he was a member of the Ada Archery Club.
In 1963, Thomas met his wife, Janice Butler of Allen, and they were married on January 13, 1967, in Ada, Oklahoma, at First Assembly of God Church. His spiritual life began when in faith he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He chose his baptism to be September 26th on his wife’s birthday.
Thomas and Janice started their family together in Ada and moved with Thomas’ job to Bonham, Bossier City, Weatherford and Waxahachie. His simple passions in life were providing a good life for his family, collecting/tinkering on old cars/boats, fishing and watching Oklahoma football.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Mildred (Edgar) Whitaker, and brothers Jimmy and Jerry Whitaker.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Janice Diann Butler Whitaker, and two sons, Diron Thomas Whitaker and Damon Harley Whitaker, all of Waxahachie, Texas, his oldest child and daughter, Julissa Joan LeBlanc and husband Wayne LeBlanc of Dallas, Texas, and loved by his grandchildren, Luke Whitaker, Judah Whitaker, and Khloe Sutton.
Surviving brother and sisters are Donnie Whitaker of Houston, Shirley Whitaker of Holdenville, Oklahoma, Judith and husband Richard James of New Braunfels, Texas, Mary Wade, of Monte Vista, Colorado, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In Waxahachie, visitation will be on Thursday, August 12th from 6-8 PM at Boze-Mitchell-McKibbins’.
In Ada, visitation will be on Friday, August 13th from 6-8 PM at Criswell’s and Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 14th at 11 AM (and streaming on Criswell’s Facebook Live) followed by internment at Allen Cemetery.
Flowers can be sent to either funeral home or charitable donations to Pleasant Hill Childrens Home.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
