Mark Alan Whittington

Mark Alan Whittington, 52, of Choctaw died very unexpectedly on Monday, March 10. Mark was born to Carlene Lorna Epperson and the late Craig Eugene Whittington on December 22, 1972 in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Choctaw High School in 1991 and married his high school sweetheart, Chestena Eileen Durnell, on October 15, 2004. Together, they had one daughter, Shanisty Eileen Whittington. Mark also had a son, Keldon Gregory Whittington.
Mark had four real passions in life. First and foremost was his family, including two grandmothers who both died last year. Mark's home was a place of joy and laughter. He enjoyed cooking for his family and crafted several house specialties which became staples for three generations. Many of Mark's father's family still live in the Fort Collins and Denver area of Colorado, while some of that family also lives in Kentucky. Mark's mother's family hails originally from Colorado before moving to the Vinita and Grand Lake area of Oklahoma.
Mark was a highly skilled automobile mechanic. Mark was not only trained but certified to work on most makes and models. He was extremely competent to work on newer brands on the market, but was always especially fond of working on classic models from the 50s, 60s, and 70s (before computers took over everything under the hood).
Mark's eye was always on his Denver Broncos. When Denver played, everything else stopped. He could sit for hours watching almost any college or pro football game. But, whether in good years or bad, Mark was keenly interested in the outcome of Denver's efforts.
Mark also loved Harley-Davidsons and riding motorcycles. He owned one for a while before it was taken from him in a wreck, and always looked forward to when he would own his next one. Riding was something that gave him great joy.
In addition to his two grandmothers, Mark was preceded in death by his father Craig Whittington in 2023. He was also preceded in death by his older brother Gregory Scott Whittington who died as a young child in 1979.
Mark is survived by his wife Chestena, his daughter Shanisty, and his precious and precocious grandson Ezra, all members of his household. Mark is also survived by his son Keldon of Oklahoma City and his mother Lorna Vinyard and her husband Ray of Jones, as well as his sister Tracy Tieaskie and her husband Stony of Choctaw, Tommy Whittington and his wife Jordann of Enid, Curtis Whittington of Choctaw, and his brother-in-law Bryan Durnell of Norman. His step-mother, Macie Whittington, of Kentucky, his step-brother Eric Baines and his wife Autumn of Tennessee, his step-brother Steven Baines and his wife Erin of Colorado, also survive him, in addition to numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and friends and colleagues.
A Service of Death and Resurrection will be celebrated at Jones United Methodist Church (106 W Cherokee) on Wednesday, March 19th at 2 o'clock.