Funeral services at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel, Walters, Monday, February 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with interment in the Walters Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Sunday from 2:00-8:00 p.m. and on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Ronnie Olen Whitehead was born to Olen Vernon and Tommie Jane (Martin) Whitehead on August 12, 1940, in the Union Valley Community of Cotton County, OK, and departed this life in Duncan, OK, on February 6, 2025, at the age of 84 years, 5 months, and 25 days.
Ronnie grew up at Union Valley until moving northeast of Walters, OK, at age 10. He graduated from Walters High School in 1958 and then attended Cameron College for a year. He married Leona Fae Philpott on February 5, 1959, at FBC Walters. Ronnie soon joined the Oklahoma National Guard, eventually transferring to the Army Reserve as a Private and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He faithfully served his country from 1959-1996, and also worked for Civil Service at Fort Sill from 1961 to 1996.
Ronnie and Leona made their home in Walters, Lawton, and then in Parkville, MO, for 3 years before returning to Lawton and eventually settling northeast of Walters in 1978. They moved to their current home in town in 2010.
Ronnie was a member of First Baptist Church. He enjoyed farming, especially loved taking care of his cows. He enjoyed studying history, working on his family genealogy, and writing humorous short stories. He loved his grandkids and time spent with them.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Olen and Tommie Whitehead, and his in-laws, Samuel and Fae Philpott. Also preceding him was his daughter, Karen Crumley, and infant granddaughter, Samantha Whitehead.
Survivors include his cherished wife of 66 years and a day, Leona Whitehead of the home; his son, Jon Whitehead and wife Loanna of Walters; three grandchildren, Ryan Shahade and Rob of Trinidad, CO, Colby Hilbert and Sandra of Virginia Beach, VA, and Jared Whitehead and Amanda of Walters; five great-grandchildren, Braxton Foster, Bree Foster, Maddie Whitehead, Mia Hilbert, and Rosslyn Shahade; a brother, Roy Whitehead and wife Debbe of Walters; two sisters, Joy White and Cathy Hooser both of Walters; many nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
