Calvin Eugene Whitmire, 91, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. He was born March 10, 1933, on Sugar Mountain in Welling, Oklahoma, to parents Tad Whitmire and Dona (Gregg) Whitmire.
Calvin attended elementary school at Seneca Indian School in Wyandotte, Oklahoma, and high school at Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He was enlisted in the military twice, the first time in the Air Force and the second time in the Army to join his brother, Robert, when he was drafted. They were both paratroopers in the Army.
Following his military service, he attended school in California to obtain an electrical engineering degree. After receiving his degree, he held several positions with Hewlett Packard and other electronic developers. He also worked on the Alaskan Pipeline, which was the job he was most proud of. He was a vital part of the construction of the original pipeline. After the flow of oil, he managed several pipeline stations during his career.
Calvin was very proud of his Cherokee heritage. There are three Whitmire towns developed by his great-great uncles and great-great grandfather. Whitmire, South Carolina was named after a great-great uncle, Whitmire, Georgia was named after the other great-great uncle, and Whitmire, Oklahoma was named after his great-great grandfather who brought his family and slave across the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma.
Calvin is preceded in death by his parents, Tad and Dona Whitmire; son, Robert “Bobby” Whitmire; brothers, Robert “Bob” Whitmire and Tommy Whitmire; brother-in-law, James “Jim” Talley; sister-in-law, Beverly Whitmire Johnson; nephew, Jake Talley Whitmire; and nieces, Sonya Whitmire and Regina (Talley) Beckman.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Bobbie Whitmire of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; sons, Gene Smith (Rebecca) of Klamoth Falls, Oregon, Mark Whitmire (Tammy) of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and Robert Schaefer of Wagoner, Oklahoma; daughters, Toni Smith of Sacramento, California, Debbie Whitmire of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Dona Whitmire of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Robin Pertl of Anchorage, Alaska, and Kim Trahan (Rob), of Arlington, Texas; stepsons, Rocky Mayo of Wasilla, Alaska, and Rick Mayo (Melissa) of Mesquite, Nevada; sister, Wyanda Talley of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; as well as a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family members.
There are no services planned at this time.
Arrangements are in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
