Benjamin Arthur Whitney III

Benjamin Arthur Whitney III

April 24, 1944 - May 25, 2023

Benjamin Arthur Whitney III, 79, of Tulsa, OK passed away peacefully at home on May 25, 2023. Ben was born on April 24, 1944, in Falfurrias, Texas to Benjamin (Bud) A. Whitney Jr. and Peggy (Dutton) Whitney. The family moved to Tulsa in 1951. In 1959, his parents purchased a cabin at Cedar Crest Country Club in the foothills of the Ozarks which he dearly loved and would return to for the remainder of his life. After graduating from Nathan Hale High School, he went on to study Economics at The University of Tulsa. He was an active member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and an enthusiastic University of Tulsa sports fan and booster. Following graduation, he landed a job at Scott Foresman Publishing where he worked in Dallas and Chicago. Ben thrived in academic publishing and his career moved the family to many wonderful places (Dallas TX, Deerfield IL, Wilton CT, and Fort Worth TX) over his 45 years in the business. He additionally worked for Harper Collins (NYC), Harcourt Brace (Fort Worth), and Thomson Learning (Tulsa) becoming Vice President of Sales throughout this time before retiring in Tulsa. Ben opened a Mazzio's Pizza in Locust Grove, OK in 1998 which he enjoyed managing after retirement.

Ben was a voracious reader and lifelong learner with an interest in world history and politics. He was an adventurous fisherman and had numerous fishing buddies whom he fly-fished with around the country. He had a heart for entertaining and was happiest surrounded by family and friends eating (more butter and salt!), drinking, and sharing stories. He was loud, one of a kind, and had a big personality... to know him was to love him. There is so much more that should be said, but in the end, what he did was make our world brighter. We love and miss you.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Peggy; and sister, Mary Beth Clark. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mardi Whitney; sister, Barbara Oden and brother-in-law, Bill Oden; children, Matthew Tatum and Sarah Whitney; son-in-law, Kenneth Bratcher; grandchildren, Madly Tatum and Amelia Bratcher; many nieces & nephews and longtime friends.

In lieu of a traditional memorial service, Ben requested to have a big party which will take place at a later date.