Lamar Whitney

Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove, OK....918-786-2261....Lamar Henry Whitney, age 85, passed away at his home in Grove, Oklahoma on Tuesday, April 28, 2015. Lamar was born on November 7, 1929 in Wichita, Kansas to the late Dwight Wright Whitney and Sylvia Mary (Kopplin) Whitney. Lamar grew up in Wichita, KS attending North High School. After graduation, Lamar worked as a volunteer firefighter with his dad in Sedgwick County, Kansas in 1947. He served his country in the United States Marines from 1948 through 1952. After his service to his country, Lamar returned to the Sedgwick County Fire Department where he sought to reduce property damage and loss of life to fire and other disasters from 1952 to 1960. He then moved to Hutchinson, Kansas and served on the fire department where he was promoted to rank of Captain from 1960 to 1968. Lamar later moved to Pueblo, Colorado during 1968 and then moved to Thornton, Colorado serving there until his retirement in 1979. Not content to sit idle as a retiree at his lakefront home in Delaware County, he became the Volunteer Director of Delaware County Civil Defense where he managed the organizational transition from civil defense to the all-hazard approach to Emergency Management from 1987 until 2001. Lamar sought to remain closer to home and volunteered as Station Master and Engineer at Cowskin Fire Department from 2001 until the present. Lamar enjoyed chasing storms, riding around the United States with his son in his truck, working at the fire department, and giving to others. Lamar is survived by his seven children: "Wolfe" Dan Henry Whitney and his wife Kathy Sn. Clair, Gary Lamar Whitney, Larry George Whitney, Ray Alan Whitney and his wife Susan, Brenda Arlene Villarreal/ Cox and her husband David, Linda Mary Cox and her husband Pat, and Randy Wayne Whitney and his wife Robin; 16 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mildred A. Whitney; and one son Don Elmer Whitney. A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2015 from 1PM to 3PM at the Cowskin Fire Department Station #1. A graveside service will be held at 1PM on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Hickory Grove Cemetery. The family is requesting to meet at the Fire Station on Saturday at 1PM and there will be a procession to Hickory Grove Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove, OK. Friends and family may leave notes of encouragement by viewing Lamar's Book of Memories at www.honoringmemories.com.

Visitation Details

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Cowskin Fire Department Station #1

Service Details

Saturday, May 9th, 2015 1:00pm, Graveside

Interment Details

Hickory Grove Cemetery