Richard Whitaker

Richard Whitaker, 65, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away in Little Rock on March 30, 2009.
Richard was born at the California Hospital in Los Angeles, California. He spent most of his childhood enjoying the pleasures of a youngster growing up in California in the 1950's. He attended his first couple of school years in McAlester, Oklahoma at a Catholic Grade School when his family returned to Oklahoma for a brief time for his Father's work. The family then relocated to the Central Valley where Rick attended school in Antioch. The picture perfect backdrop of the Central Valley landscape was a wonderful setting for his early years. He continued his educational experience at Alonzo Stagg High School in Stockton, California. After years of military service he later attended college in Northern California at Foothill College in Palo Alto.
Rick was eager to serve his country and at the young age of 17 joined the Navy. After his enlistment in the Navy, he decided to delve into another adventure and serve his country in the Marines. Rick spent time on assignments in Corpus Christi, Hawaii, Adak, Alaska, and Vietnam. While in Vietnam, he was injured in combat and was sent back to the states for treatment. He spent several months in rehabilitation at a hospital in Palo Alto, California. As he mended and eventually went home, he embarked on his life after the military. He moved to Arizona and fell in love with the mother of his only child. They were married in August of 1970 and Chad was born in the winter of 1971. Rick moved to Oklahoma after spending several years in Arizona. He has resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma for over 20 years. Although he has endured many medical obstacles, he has been courageous. Regrettably, the toll this has taken on his body was insurmountable. It is a comfort to know he is now in the presence of our most wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Rick will be remembered for his uncanny humor, courage and persistence. He was preceded in death by his Maternal and Paternal Grandparents, Miles Clifford and Priscilla Lindley, Philander and Marie Whitaker; his Father, Thaddeus Whitaker; Step-Fathers, Harold Mammen and Glendon Johnson; and one sister, S. Anne (Whitaker)Gann. He was also preceded in death by his Aunts, Hazel (Lindley) Elliott , Wanda Lee Lindley, Joy (Lindley) Smith and Ann Marie Whitaker; Uncles, Bill Hardage, Melvin Lindley and Miles Clifford (Pete) Lindley; and cousins, John Elliott and Paula (Lindley) Sharp.
He is survived by his Mother, Priscilla (Lindley) (Whitaker) (Mammen) Johnson of Huntsville, Alabama; Son, Chad Whitaker and wife, Raenee Whitaker of the home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Rick is survived by two Grandchildren who were the apples of his eye, Granddaughter, Azaleah Whitaker and Grandson, Zaiden Whitaker. He is survived by Aunts and Uncles, Wanda (Lindley) Collins and Elmer Collins of Norman, Oklahoma, Linda (Lindley) Hardage and spouse of Enid, Oklahoma, Deloris Lindley of Calvin, Oklahoma, Elvin Lindley of Stuart, Oklahoma, and Marlin Elliott of Richland, Missouri. Also surviving are two biological nieces, Kerri (Newcomb) McBride and Stephanie (Johnson) Perna; and many other dear family members and kind friends including Dave and Bev Elliott, Fred and Susan Bridges, Patricia Lomeli, Angelique Lomeli and others.
A Memorial Service will be held at Skelly Drive Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, April 4, at 3:00 p.m.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Visit Rick's online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.