John Cook Whitford of Claremore Oklahoma met his Lord and Savior in person on Monday, July 17, 2023.
Johnny was born on October 31, 1950, in Nowata, Oklahoma to William “Bill” Charles Whitford and Joan Lee (Cook) Whitford. A rapscallion from an early age, Johnny played his part in a merry band of Nowata outlaws, getting in as much trouble as he could find with those Nowata boys. He grew into a man of strong opinions and character, testing his limits on the backs of rodeo bulls, during his Army Service in Germany and on the many, many adventures to his beloved Mountains of Colorado. In 1973, Johnny married Marty Burrow and began a new adventure, that of husband and later a father to their sons, Hunter and Spencer. Hunter remembers that his dad always coached his teams and he sometimes got in trouble when playing shortstop for overthrowing first base. The boys have been some of his most important achievements, growing into men that Johnny was unfailingly proud of.
Professionally, Johnny began his career at Southside plumbing, then became his own boss, forming Whitco Plumbing. He worked in and around the Oologah, Nowata and Talala, (or Ta-la-la-Boom-D-A as John fondly called his little town), eventually experiencing the high-profile Colorado market while working with Precision Mechanical, Glenwood Springs, Colorado. For over 40 years he gave into the lives of his clients, plumbing their homes, “no runs or drips!” and dispensing wit and wisdom as freely as the copper pipe he always insisted on.
An avid hunter, fly fisherman, photographer and artist, Johnny took great joy in the tranquility of a good trout stream, lens framing a bird in its natural habitat, and recreating a mountainside landscape drawing on any available piece of wood, paper or box. While life did bring its challenges, Johnny’s insurmountable spirit led him through the tough times, strengthening relationships both with friends and family as well as his heavenly father.
In May 2008, Johnny married his sweetest, Julie White, and moved to Claremore, joining her wild and rowdy crew as a perfect fit. With Hunter, Spencer’s family, Julie’s sons and daughters and all the combined grands, Johnny became an epic storyteller, Jokester and all-around family man. He gave into the lives of all he met. His twinkling blue eyes, willingness to slow down and take time, and heart for Jesus, all making him a magnetic character for all he came into contact with.
John is survived by:
His Beloved Wife;
Julie Whitford
6 Children;
Hunter Whitford
Spencer Whitford and wife Jentri
Fred Peters and wife Donna
Jennifer Looper
George Peters and wife Leslie
Gina Lehman and husband Matt
10 Grandchildren;
June, Willa, Corey and wife Brenna, Wyatt and wife Jensen, Wade, Keaton, Jesse, Emma, Allie, and A.J.
Brother;
Billy Whitford and wife Jan
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Joan, brother, Mike, and son in law, Michael.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso, Oklahoma. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Harbor Church in Oologah, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Fl. 17, Chicago, IL, 60601.
Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I say rejoice. Philippians 4: 4
