Lawrence Allen Whitman

Lawrence Allen Whitman, born April 8, 1938 in Cheboygan, Michigan, slipped quietly into eternity on Tuesday, December 1st. He leaves behind his wife, Ruthanne (Enos) Whitman. It is my honor to write a tribute to my father, but how can you possibly do justice to the life of a man, a husband, a father in a few paragraphs? Do you point out that he served his country overseas in the U.S. Army? Or that he was a faithful husband of 60 years? Or, I could say he was a life-long learner before it was a thing. After obtaining his GED, there was no opportunity for college but he learned anyway. My favorite memory is of him reading through our set of encyclopedias, just because he was curious. Is it enough to say he was hard-working? Dad had to quit school at thirteen years old to work on a ranch. While working there, he experienced his first sit-down meal; his family at home did not even have a table. Hard-working he was, from then until well into his seventies. Dad was a Freemason; he belonged to the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He loved Johnny Cash, cigarettes, coffee, animals, and hunting. He loved sweets and his dog, Kelly. He could fix or build literally anything. He was a pack rat. He was a generous friend and a loyal brother. For most of my life he wore old-fashioned Brylcreem in his hair. I've always suspected he only stopped using it because they stopped making it! He was quiet, but he loved to joke and boy, could he cuss! Most of all, Dad was a family man. In so many, many ways he was always there to take care of us. Always. He loved and took great pride in us, his children Larry Jr., Pam Livingston, and Rebecca Boyd. In 2002 he weathered Larry's death with grace and strength. He cherished the grandchildren Terra and Haley Livingston, Phillip, Kelsey, and Brendan Booth, and Devon Boyd. Without ever saying it in words, he showed us that family was the most important thing in the world. Dad, you provided for us. You made us laugh and drove us crazy. 77 years were not enough because we loved you madly. We'll never be the same without you, but we will all be fine. We'll honor you by taking care of each other just the way you taught us. A memorial service is planned at a later date.

Tributes

Lawrence Allen Whitman

April 8, 1938 - December 1, 2015