Leon Whipkey was born January 29, 1934 in Erick, Oklahoma to Mary and Edward Whipkey. He passed away January 15, 2015 at the Amarillo Veterans Nursing Home at the age of 80 years, 11 months and 16 days.
Leon grew up in the Sweetwater area and attended schools at Erick and Sweetwater. In August of 1952, he enlisted in the United States Army and served 20 years spanning the Vietnam War and the Korean Conflict. During his time of service, he was married to Virginia (Adcox) Whipkey at Wellington, Texas on April 3, 1956. After his discharge in 1972, he began his career in the oil field and remained there for 15 years. In the early 90s, he began his own lawn service in Erick mowing lawns and taking care of yards until the age of 75, when he retired. Leon enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Doug Mann and Tracey Edward Whipkey and one grandson, Richard Strouse.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia, of the home: three children, Edwin Mann, Johnnie Marie Strouse and husband, Gene, both of Amarillo, TX, Clarence Wayne Whipkey, Blair, OK; seven grandchildren and several great grandchildren, one sister, Yvonne Whervine, Amarillo, TX; two brothers, Carl Whipkey and wife, Lois, Fritch, TX and Ben Whipkey, Squim, WA; one sister-in-law, Sybil Adcox, Amarillo, TX and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Services at 2:00 on January 19, 2015 at the Erick, OK United Methodist Church