Cliffton Lee Whitnah, age 96, passed away April 25, 2018, in Purcell, OK. He formerly lived in Choctaw. He was born December 31, 1921 to Louis Whitnah and Emma Garrett Whitnah in the Harrah District.
He was raised on a farm and attended school in Choctaw. After ninth grade, he dropped out of school. At the age of 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC Camps) and was sent to Colorado until his Grandfather Garrett found a job for him in Oklahoma City.
On September 2, 1942, he… Read More » entered the U. S. Navy and became a Seaman First Class. He married his longtime sweetheart Bessie Young Whitnah on February 17, 1943 at Calvary Baptist Church in Capitol Hill while he was on leave. He was Honorably Discharged on November 16, 1945.
He worked at Victory Glass Co. making mirrors (glazier) and Thompson Glass Co. for many years. In 1948, they moved to a five acre farm and then in 1950 they moved back to the homestead in Choctaw School District and became a dairyman. In 1955, they moved back to their five acre farm and went to work for his grandfather at the Bond Rental Co. and then for his uncle remodeling houses until he became self-employed doing carpenter work.
They encouraged both boys that an education was important and both boys graduated from OSU. Mr Whitnah was a master craftsman with wood projects, woodcarver and copper embossing. He loved gardening even when they moved to Westbrook Gardens Senior Living Center.
He had his own 4 x 16 raised garden, giving his produce to the workers and other residents there. He was a member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church in Midwest City for many years and then moved their membership to Eastwood Baptist Church that was closer to home. Later they joined Story Baptist Church in Story, OK.
He enjoyed being around family and friends. Survivors include two sons, Vernon L. and wife Jana Whitnah and Wayne R. and wife Ruth Ann Whitnah; one granddaughter Christina and David Kieffer; three grandsons, Lee Whitnah, Troy Whitnah and Jess Whitnah; four great-grandsons, Sam and Jason Kieffer, Trevor Whitnah and Zane Whitnah. Mr. Whitnah was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie, his parents, two brothers and one sister.
Funeral services will be at Asa Smith Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m. Monday April 30, 2018, with interment at Memory Lane Cemetery under direction of Asa Smith Funeral Service, Harrah. Tributes and messages may be posted on the funeral home web-site. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Cliff Whitnah to the Alzheimers Association, Oklahoma Chapter, 2448 E. 81st.
Suite. 3000, Tulsa, OK 74137 or your favorite charity.
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