Ray W. Whitson

FUNERAL HOME

Murphy Funeral Homes - Arlington

4510 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, Virginia

Ray Whitson Obituary

WHITSON, RAY W., Col., USA (Ret.) (Age 95)

On Thursday, August 19, 2004 of Arlington, VA. Beloved husband of Emily P. Whitson; father of Donna J. Asimont, M.D. of Sunland, CA; one grandson, Scott Asimont of California; two nieces, Judy Pyle of Bartlesville, OK and Valerie Taylor Brown of New York, NY. Services will be held Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at 11 a.m. at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel. Interment Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Capital Hospice, 9300 Lee Hwy., Suite 500, Fairfax, VA 22031. Arrangements by MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, Arlington, VA.

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Published by The Washington Post on Oct. 12, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Ray Whitson

8 Entries

RAY & CORELIA

Michael Muller

October 26, 2004

If I had not already had a GrandPa, I would have chosen Ray Whitson. I was not related to the man, but I loved and respected him to that degree. Here he is with his first wife, Corelia.

Roger Tripp

October 15, 2004

I have known and loved Ray from the time I was maybe three years old. He and Correlia were very much part of our ‘family’ back in the DC area and I have lot of great memories of the two of them. I was in my first (and only) automobile accident with Ray driving somewhere near Rock Creek Park. Fortunately the only thing hurt was the car. Ray loved to tell stories about my always wanting to ‘hoot the gun’ as a little kid as he had an old squirrel gun that I was fascinated by. We loved the visits with Ray and they were always special times when we got together. I always looked forward to the home made ice cream in their back yard. I loved his stories about being the commander of an all Black training unit in WWII before the services were integrated and his many other military experiences. Ray swore my younger brother into the Army many long years ago also.

Ray was one of those rare people who was interested in everything and everybody and was a joy to be around. His indomitable spirit was never more evident than in his declining years when burdened with hearing and vision problems, but never willing to give in to them in any way. He would still attempt to play golf even though he couldn’t really see the ball anymore; tried many times to drive a car with almost no vision; and he would sometimes walk over to Fort Myers regardless of the obstacles or how much time or effort it took. He claimed he would make it to 100 and I was pretty surprised that he didn’t quite make it as he always did what he said he would do. We will certainly all miss Ray as he was someone special and rare and the type of person we wish there were a lot more of in this world.

S. Jane Tobin

October 14, 2004

As a friend of Ray Whitson's daughter Donna, I offer my thoughts and prayers.

patricia warner

October 14, 2004

My Uncle Ray was a dynamic man. He was an inspiration to me my whole life. Growing up, my family was the only one to live in close proximity to him. The rest of the family remained in Oklahoma. In 1993, Uncle Ray was becoming a bit restless, and his vision was deteriorating, and I was able to talk him into writing a Whitson family history. He spent a couple of years compiling his book, of which he was very proud. His accomplishments in life are too numerous to mention, but first and foremost, he loved his daughter and grandson.

Robert Tripp

October 13, 2004

My wife and I have known Col. Whitson for 57 years. Ray taught me how to play golf and I still play even today at age 91. I am a fellow Oklahoman and shared special interest in Oklahoma U football teams, He was a great friend and was loved and admired by our four children. We will sorely miss him.

Robert Tripp, CDR USN Ret.

Richard Nickerson

October 13, 2004

I remember your Dad well from that one meeting in 2002. He was inspirational. I remember thinking how interesting he was. And how he seemed so youthful in his outlook - just the way I hope I will be as time goes on. How wonderful that he had such a good, positive, full, and intresting life. And to be able to know that it was all so worth it. How fortunate you are to have had him.

Richard

Colonel Ray Whitson Ret, age 94

Michael Muller

October 12, 2004

donna asimont

October 12, 2004

As his only child and daughter, I would like to say how much I will miss my Dad whom I first met 67 years ago. My Dad has always been my role model in terms of his energy. his love of life right up to the end, his intellect and his ambition to better himself from his beginnings as an Oklahoma farm boy to a Colonel in the US Army and a graduate engineer.

You will always be with me, Dad, no matter where I go, what I do or how long I am on this earth, you will always be my guiding light. Thank you for being my Dad.

Love, Donna

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