Melvin Ray Whitten

Melvin Ray Whitten, 81

Okeene, Oklahoma

Passed away December 25, 2020

Melvin Ray Whitten was born on August 10,1939 in Hobbs, New Mexico to J.C. Whitten and Cora Coffman Whitten. He had two siblings, Virgil “Jimmie” Whitten, and Myrtle “Jo” Cox. At age 8, Melvin and his family moved to Ringwood, Oklahoma. He played semi-pro baseball out of Fairview, Oklahoma, starting his freshman year of high school. He would then graduate from Ringwood High School in 1958.

He met and married the love of his life, Elsie Ellen Wilcox on July 26, 1969. During that time he worked at IGA grocery, before eventually going to work at the Sooner Co-op on Oct 25, 1971. He worked for the Co-op as a farmstore manager for 27 years at which time he retired in January of 1999. After retirement he farmed for Ralph Brickman and family. He started a family mowing business in Okeene and operated it until the summer of 2016. Melvin was a part of the volunteer firefighter program for 18 years. He coached 11 and under softball for several years and helped Coach Heckart with High School Softball. He was a big fan of whippet sports and went to as many games as he possibly could. Throughout his life he loved to hunt and fish and as he got older he loved to collect knives and coins. Melvin attended the First Baptist Church in Okeene.

Melvin is survived by his wife Elsie Whitten of 51 years, and 4 daughters, Kristy Lorenz and husband Kendall, Toni Windle, Michelle Mullins and husband Chris, Erica Shaloy and husband Jake. He is survived by 13 grandkids: D.J. Windle and wife Stephanie, Audra Davis and husband Josh, Brandi Turley and husband Jared, Deidra Clester, Cassi Knott and husband Preston, Andrew Hartfiel and wife Lisa, Jessica Musgrove and husband Chad, Tanner Lorenz, Garret Lorenz, John Allen Wood, Jaycee Mullins, Kale Shaloy, Kinley Shaloy, and 10 great grandkids. He is preceded in death by his parents J.C. Whitten, Cora Coffman Whitten, and his siblings Virgil “Jimmie” Whitten and Myrtle “Jo” Cox.

Melvin was a kind man with a heart of gold, and it only took talking to him once to see that. He never knew a stranger, and his love for his family was endless. No matter where he was, no matter who he was with, he always had a smile, and greeted everyone as if they were a friend.

A private family funeral is scheduled for 10am on December 31, 2020. There will be a graveside service at Roselawn Cemetery open to the public at 11am. The funeral will be livestreamed from the First Baptist Church of Okeene. Wilkinson Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Melvin Whitten Memorial Fund at the First National Bank in Okeene. All donations will go to the Okeene Athletic Fund and the First Baptist Church of Okeene.

Viewing for Melvin will begin Wednesday, December 30 at 12 until 8pm