Boyd O. Whitlock Jr.'s Obituary
On Saturday August 27th, 2016, Boyd Otho Whitlock Jr. sat down at the heavenly banquet table. His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (& his wife of over 50 years) had saved him a seat. Boyd was 80 years old and after a long and productive life of loving, serving, mentoring and healing many – it was time for him to join Myrna, is wife, at the feet of our God Almighty. Boyd Otho Whitlock Jr was born on March 3rd, 1936 to Boyd and Pearl Whitlock in Kaw City, Oklahoma. In Kaw, his dad ran several businesses and his mom taught Sunday school. Because of them, Boyd and younger sister, Madelyn, learned the value of hard work, how to treat people and their Christian foundation. After graduating as valedictorian from Kaw City High School (graduating class of 11) and growing up in a University of Oklahoma (Sooner) household, Boyd decided to attend Oklahoma A&M (changed to Oklahoma State University before he graduated). There he became a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Once he realized he found ‘God’s Country” he was hooked on the Orange & Black forever. After graduating from OSU, he went to medical school, where he met Myrna Ruth Tarkington, and was smitten forever. They were married in 1960, then after medical graduation and during his internship, he was drafted into the Army. He proudly served a stint as an Army physician in Viet Nam. After Boyd got out of the Army, he and Myrna moved to Tulsa and he joined Glass Nelson Clinic to begin his medical career as an Internist (Internal Medicine) in 1968. Here they raised their family of 3 kids – Boyd III, Bryan and Brynda. He served the Tulsa community in many different capacities. As a committed, compassionate & dedicated physician, he served as Chief of Staff at St. John’s Hospital, as President of the TCMS (Tulsa County Medical Society), as President of the Oklahoma State Medical Society. He served his profession with dignity and pride over many years. Not only did Boyd practice medical care, but he experienced it himself and fought very valiantly in his battle for life. He had a heart by-pass surgery at a relatively young age. He then faced his biggest challenge, that of facial cancer. He was treated with aggressive facial surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, all of which required many trips to MD Anderson in Houston. He, along with Myrna’s pushing, prodding, encouraging and especially praying, won that battle. Then later in life, he again battled cancer as he fought and won against prostate cancer. Back in the 80’s, Boyd & Myrna and several friends formed a ‘Gourmet Dinner Group”. They met for more than 20 years, cooking together, and enjoying good food and fellowship, and an abundance of laughter. Boyd loved to ‘GO’. When not working, he usually wanted to go somewhere, do something. He loved to go to the lake. Many good family memories happened at the lake. Looking back on all the good times – many were spent at Grand Lake – entertaining friends, either just getting together or enjoying the annual fireworks display at Duck Creek. If not at the lake, Boyd & Myrna were seeing the world. They spent many of the winter months in S. Padre. Traveled to Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Napa Valley, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, the Holy Land. They loved to travel. He has left many family members and friends that will miss him and grieve his absence. Boyd (Dad, Granddaddy, G-da) will be missed by his children: Dr Boyd Whitlock III, and his wife Karen and their children – Alyssa, Kylie & Bo; Dr Bryan Whitlock and his wife, Rhonda and their children – Amber, Adam, Haylee, Ariel, Coco & Emy and grand-children – Levi & Leo; and Brynda Hatcher and her husband, Marty and their children – Wynter and Kennedy; & his sister, Madelyn Harris. Boyd is preceded in death by his parents: Boyd & Pearl Whitlock and his wife, Myrna Tarkington Whitlock. The Family will miss Boyd, as many of you will too. But we mostly want to celebrate the life he lived. They want everyone to be aware that Boyd not only served his community as a dedicated physician, but also as: active member and participant in a couple of local Methodist churches – he served in several different rolls. He was a ‘Chief’ in a local Indian Guides, Boy Scout as a youth, served as Cub Master of the boys pack and Scout Master of their scout troop (encouraged and supported both boys until they achieved the rank of Eagle Scout). He was usually found helping others achieve, counseling, mentoring others through their problems – than ever sharing his own. Thoughts from family: ‘How about him always sacrificing for our family. He drove that aging, oxidizing ‘tin can’ Honda Civic while Chief of Staff of Saint John’s Hospital, so he could provide newer cars for all of us and put us through college’ — Bryan “The best dance I’ve ever had was with Dad at my wedding” … He know how to lead, how to laugh and how to enjoy the moment. Always the most gentleman in the room.” — Brynda We remember when he and GiGi would stay with us and wake us up in the morning singing “Lazybones, sleeping on the job, when you going to get your days work done” — Alyssa & Kylie There were many things he would say to show encouragement, to achieve, to succeed, but probably what I remember him saying the most is “O S U Cowboys”!!! — Boyd Has anyone seen my coffee cup – Hey who hid it in the microwave?” — Bo.
What’s your fondest memory of Boyd?
What’s a lesson you learned from Boyd?
Share a story where Boyd's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Boyd you’ll never forget.
How did Boyd make you smile?