Joe Whitaker

   During our time on this earth, many sad things happen for us personally. So it is, as I write this article about Joe Whitaker - a personal friend who died unexpectedly last Tuesday, September 25, 2018. I met Joe only a couple years ago down at our ranch, south of Lindsay. Joe drove up from Randlett, OK, on a Saturday - to visit his friend, Jack Cesar. Jack is my brother-in-law and helps us out on the ranch. Joe is a mechanic by trade, and usually has Saturday and Sundays off. On this particular Saturday, we were working as usual, so Joe jumped in and worked right alongside Jack and me. Most people understand that farm and ranch work is never easy, and usually quite taxing on the body, when one works the usual 12 to 14 hour day. At the end of that day, I offered Joe a $20 bill (not much about $1.60/hr.) for his help. Joe said "No, I didn't come down here to work, but only to visit my friend Jack.. and I've met you too - which made it worth the trip."
   I saw Joe a few more times, always on Saturday or Sunday, and he always fell in with whatever we were doing on that particular day. A couple weeks ago, Joe came down for the last time to visit Jack. He wanted to show Jack his "new car" - an eighties model Chrysler, not worth more than $500. Jack and Joe decided to go grab a bite to eat close to Elmore City, so left the house at around 7 PM. They were laughing and talking as Jack drove east down Highway 29. You know the stretch of highway - no shoulder on either side and drop-off of at least 6 inches on both sides. The little Pontiac G-6 right front tire lost air, which caused the car to only slightly veer across the white line to the right. Since there existed an immediate drop of between 4 to 6 inches just outside the white, the right front of the car was guided toward a drop of about 8 feet - which was only 6 more inches to the outside. The car left the roadway and struck a tree further down the embankment. Jack suffered injuries, but survived the accident. Joe was airlifted to O.U Medical Center that night, but passed away on Tuesday afternoon at approximately 1:10 PM. Jack's heart is still broken.. Sherrie's heart is still broken.. and my heart is still broken.. but we know that Joe is now in a much better place. Please rest now Joe, you deserve it...