Michael H. Whitworth

1942 - 2021

Michael H. Whitworth, D.O.

Michael H. Whitworth, D.O., passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2021, after a brief illness. Born in Soda Springs, Idaho, on September 28, 1942, Mike was the third of seven children born to Herb and Ann Whitworth. Mike was raised on a farm and ranch in the Kelly Toponce area in Idaho, where he learned the values of hard work and dedication to his faith and family. Following his graduation from North Gem High School, Mike served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Germany. Upon his return to Idaho, he married the love of his life, Sheila Allsop. Mike and Sheila began their journey together, when they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 16, 1964. Mike attended Utah State University, graduating in 1967. Following his graduation, he, Sheila and their young son, Jeff, moved to Kansas City, where he attended the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery and they welcomed their second child, Andra. After finishing school in 1971, Mike, Sheila and their young family moved to Tulsa, where their youngest child, Brandon, was born. In Tulsa, Mike completed an internship and general surgery residency at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital and embarked on his career as a surgeon and educator. Mike's love and compassion for his patients was legendary, as was his concern for the young physicians who trained under him. He was a skilled surgeon who was known by his colleagues and resident physicians as a patient and generous physician – except for occasions in the operating room, where he was known by some as "the bear". He served on numerous hospital committees and national committees related to the education and training of residents. He also received several awards over the years, including the A.T. Still Award of Excellence from the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association in 2010, the Distinguished Osteopathic Surgeon Award from the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons in 2011 and the 2017 Outstanding Physician Award from the Osteopathic Founders Foundation. Mike never lost his love of the West, and in his retirement, he and Sheila loved to travel with Sheila's sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Jim Twiss. Mike particularly loved driving through the mountains and small towns in the area where he was raised. His family loved it, when they could join him and hear the stories of his younger days as a "cowboy" on the ranch. Mike was a fine example of a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Preceded in death by parents, Herb and Ann; and siblings, Carolyne Eliason and Brad Whitworth. Survived by his wife, Sheila; children, Jeff and Rosie Whitworth, Andra Whitworth and Brandon and Lisa Whitworth; grandchildren, Ryan, Kevin, Wes, Tristen, Alexa and Sam Whitworth; siblings, Thelma Lee and Dick Henson, Wes and Jan Whitworth, Martha Dalton, Mark and Mary Whitworth, Kelly Whitworth and Gerald Eliason; and numerous other family and friends. A memorial service is planned for September 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the LDS Church, 3640 S. New Haven Ave., Tulsa, OK 74135. Due to the COVID pandemic, masks will be required and an option to attend the service remotely will be disseminated by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Osteopathic Founders Foundation – General Surgery Fund in Mike's name.