Gale A. Whitaker was born February 14, 1926, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Albert and Ella (Hines) Medcalf. After the death of his mother, he was raised and later adopted by his aunt and uncle, John and Katie Whitaker of Blackburn, Oklahoma. He died Tuesday, July 29, 2014, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 88 years. Gale graduated with the Blackburn High School Class of 1944. He continued his education at the University of Tulsa where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in business. He was a veteran of the armed forces having served his country honorably with the United States Navy during World War II then again during the Korean War. He was married April 9, 1946, in Winfield, Kansas, to Norma Wadlow. They had made their home in Owasso, Oklahoma, since 1986. Gale spent most of his working life with American Airlines in Tulsa as an inventory control manager. Gale was a faithful member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Owasso. He enjoyed a variety of pastimes including traveling and was a member of the Good Sam’s serving as area coordinator. He also enjoyed hunting, golfing, and all types of sports, especially watching his children and grandchildren. He never retired from volunteering.
Loving family members include: His wife of over 68 years; Norma, of the home Two sons and daughters-in-law; Roger and Marcia Whitaker, of Tulsa Rick and Cathy Whitaker, of Humble, Texas Eight grandchildren; Ryan Whitaker and his wife Ali, of Tulsa Barbe Whitaker and her husband Jake Hunt, of Bixby, Oklahoma Cathleen McMahon and her husband Cal, of Tulsa Wayne Hays and his wife Nikki, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma Jessica Winfrey and her husband Ben, of Tulsa Kyle Whitaker, of Arlington, Texas Kelly Whitaker and his wife Erika, of Boulder, Colorado Katie Trevino and her husband Jonathan, of China 17 great grandchildren with two on the way He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 1, 2014, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Committal services and entombment will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 2, 2014, at the Heritage Mausoleum of Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with Pastor Rick Whitaker officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, at the Red Bud Center of the Baptist Village in Owasso. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the My 1 Ministry, c/o First Baptist Church of Owasso, P.O. Box 1020, Owasso, Oklahoma 74055. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
