Merl Whitebook Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Merl Whitebook
Start: 2022-06-18T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Merl and Carol's backyard

Merl Whitebook

It saddens us to announce that Merl Whitebook, husband, dad, grandfather, lawyer, judge, chef, scout, and friend, died on June 4, 2022. Merl was born on March 15, 1953, the son of Dorothy and Charles Whitebook. He followed the footsteps of his father to become a lawyer (after graduating from Holland Hall, OU, and TU Law) and of his mother to become a volunteer and support system for friends and family. Merl practiced law at Whitebook, Holtz, Gaddis and Powers and served as a municipal judge.

He battled cancer 110%. That 110% reflects everything he did in life. He gave his children and grandchildren a childhood that most kids dream about. Merl loved camping, barbeque, and scouting. When he was not tending a grill with a simmering brisket, Merl and Carol traveled around the country as barbeque contest officials, he volunteered with Boy Scouts, or took others glamping in the wilderness with steak dinners cooked over a fire.

Recently, people have shared his altruism and the family is grateful to hear these stories. Merl will be missed by so many including his wife Carol, sons Jason (Olivia) and Brandon, stepson Jake Bagley, stepdaughters Glynna (Kenny) Ruggiano and Renata (Dan) Haney, grandkids Haley, Haden, McKinnley, Waylon, Ruby, and Mikayla, sister Joan Whitebook, and second mom Azzeline Colbert ("Azzie").

The family will celebrate his life at Merl and Carol's backyard on June 18, 2022, at 10:00 am. Donations are requested in lieu of flowers to the Dorothy Whitebook Memorial Youth Fund at Temple Israel or to either of the Boy Scouts of America Councils that Merl was affiliated with: Cherokee Area Council, Bartlesville or Indian Nation's Council, Tulsa.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tulsa World on Jun. 12, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Merl Whitebook

10 Entries

Joan Lee Lindsey

June 22, 2024

Merle was my divorce attorney from 1973 -1984 and he divorced me from my cheating high school
Sweetheart ! 5 times ! Just wanted to share he gave me a frequent flyer free one !! Loved him as a dear friend too !! He did his best to get me child support on all three kids !! Was a pleasure to call myself his friend!! Loved his family admired that too ! I kept my promise to him I´d never marry again !! 1984 Strong !!

Steve Renfro

October 19, 2023

Merl always showed up with a smile on his face. I will miss him.

Steve Renfro
Flyboy BBQ

Suzanne Bessette

June 23, 2022

Merl was a living angel, no doubt! Merls personal quotes helped me stay sober and I was able to share his messages with many others on a daily basis until it was too much for him. He will NEVER be forgotten. Wish I could have said goodbye. I know how he loved Carol and his grand children, they were everything to him.

Melita Hiddle

June 16, 2022

I worked with Merl all those years he was a City of Tulsa
Judge. He was always one of my favorites. Bill and I used to say there was a special place in heaven for Merl because of all the many people he helped. He had a kind and loving soul and will be missed.

Jim Thoma

June 14, 2022

Merl would frequently get a twinkle in his eye to let you know he was having fun and wanted more of it.
Merl and Carol were always a positive addition to the Scouting program.

Harris Prescott

June 13, 2022

I went to TU Law School with Merl and he was my moot court partner in our Mock Trial class. I enjoyed working with Merl in the preparation of our case. I also had a chance to appear before him when he was a City of Tulsa judge and admired the way he handled his docket and the very professional way he treated attorneys, defendants and witnesses. He will be missed. May his memory be a blessing.

Ian McCracken

June 13, 2022

I know Merl from Troop 1 scouting. I have fond memories of Merl's, "Voice of the Eagle" during Court of Honors as well as his famous, "homesick pills" (Benedryl) for younger scouts on campouts. I also think Merl may have made a few phone calls on my behalf and got me out of speeding ticket in high school. Prayers to Merl's family during this time of grieving. He will be missed by all.

David Young

June 12, 2022

So sorry to hear this. Merl taught me to be a BBQ judge in 2009. I have tried to judge as he taught me.

Suzanne Bessette

June 12, 2022

Dear Carol and family,
My heart goes out to you. Merl had such a kind heart and always willing to help anyone he could. His daily inspirational quotes helped me stay sober and brought me hope every day. He will be missed. Sending love & prayers.

George margalski

June 12, 2022

Carol, so sorry to hear of ur loss. Merl was one of a kind. I´m blessed that scouting brought him into my life.
My prayers r that God welcome him into his heavenly home.

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