Earl D. Whitson

Derby - Whitson, Earl D., age 86, retired Beech Aircraft maintenance foreman, died Tuesday, November 13, 2012. Visitation 1-8pm Thursday, November 15, at Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Road, Derby. Graveside service 2pm Friday, November 16, El Paso Cemetery, Derby. Earl Dale Whitson was born December 28, 1925 in Glencoe, OK. He was the oldest of 3 children, born to Francis Henry Whitson and Myrtle Etta (Shell) Whitson. The family later moved to Stillwater, OK , where Earl attended school, delivered papers, was active in Boy Scouts, worked in a grocery and drugstore. In 1943 he enlisted in the Navy. At age 17 he was sent to San Diego, CA for basic training and received medical training at Balboa Park Hospital. The Navy supplied the Marine Corps with its medical personnel, he was assigned to the Marine Corps in the 1st division 7th regiment in 1944. He was involved in the invasions of Island Pelelin and Okinawa, as a medic on the front lines. After the war was declared over, the 7th regiment was sent to Chinwangtao, China to disarm the Japanese before being sent home. During this operation, he had his knee cap crushed. Earl was discharged from the service in March of 1946, in Norman, OK. He had attained the rank of H.A. 1st Class and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. While in the hospital in Norman, Earl met Eloda Chambers. They were married on November 2, 1946. After returning to Stillwater and doing carpentry work there, Earl and his family settled in Derby, KS. He was employed by Beech Aircraft in Wichita, where he worked for over 40 years. After retirement, Earl enjoyed having the time to do woodworking and other crafts. Earl loved his family, his job and his hobbies. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; wife; infant son, Ronnie Dean; infant grandson, Nicholas; brother, Bob Whitson. He is survived by his sons, Geary (Brenda) of Derby, Darrell of Wichita and Dwane (Carol) Whitson of Rolla, MO; grandchildren, Marcus, Hayley, Earl, Joshua (Iris), Crystal (Nathan) Weaver; great-grandchildren, Arista and Luca Whitson and Aidyn Weaver; sister, Ruth (Jim) Bradley; many cousins, nieces and nephews.