Funeral service for long-time Lawton resident, Ok Chin Whitney, age 79, will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Lane officiating.

Burial will follow in Post Cemetery, Fort Sill.

Viewing will be held on Sunday and Monday, July 11 and July 12, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The service may be viewed by following the livestream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page.

Mrs. Whitney passed away Monday, July 5, 2021 at her home in Lawton.

Mrs. Whitney was born on September 10, 1941, in Seoul, Korea to Ol Man and Sun Kim.

Mrs. Whitney had a wonderful life, she was blessed to meet and marry SFC Ralph Whitney on 16th of February, 1965. Mrs. Whitney followed him to his numerous military assignments around the world. Ralph served honorably in the United States Army for over 26 years. Meanwhile, Mrs. Whitney worked as a stewardess at Pan Am Airlines while they were stationed in Germany. This allowed them both to travel to many different countries in Europe. After Ralph's discharge from the Army, they both went to work for the Goodyear Tire Plant. After numerous years at Goodyear, Mrs. Whitney had to become a caregiver for her husband as he fought his battle with cancer and lost in 1989. Mrs. Whitney then opened several restaurants in the Lawton area until she located the perfect spot at the Lawton-Ft Sill Regional Airport.

Mrs. Whitney would speak fondly of the good times they had while working in the Lawton community. Mrs. Whitney talked about her job at the commissary on Ft Sill, where she met friendly co-workers and the many special military people that came across her life on a daily basis. Mrs. Whitney loved her jaunts outdoors taking care of her flowers. In her spare time she enjoyed playing bingo, where she packed a lunch so she wouldn't be interrupted while playing, and then later to her favorite casino.

Mrs. Whitney was extremely grateful to her dear friends who called on her often and took time from their busy schedules to deliver homemade Korean soup, food, a treat or two, and fresh garden vegetables.

Mrs. Whitney never had children of her own so she adopted a Lawton family, Mike and Juanita Ruiz and there only son, Gabriel. Mike also had a daughter in Arizona with two kids and when they came to Lawton they were adopted too! She was grateful to Mike, who stopped by every morning to share a cup of coffee and see how things were going. They'd go over the weather, the news of the day or she'd have to listen to politics, whether she wanted to or not. But each morning she'd yell out to him, "Drive carefully; watch out for those crazy drivers' and then wave goodbye." Mrs. Ruiz was fortunate to be retired and allowed to be her personal chauffer, as long as Mrs. Whitney didn't act as a co-driver. Mrs. Ruiz, by choice, was ready and able to take her to any destination needed. Mrs. Ruiz had the routine down pat, to the bank, the commissary, the pharmacy, stores and doctor's appointments. They would also go feed the ducks at the lake and enjoy the surroundings. Later they would share lunch as Mrs. Whitney was a great cook, deeelish! For 26 years, the Ruiz's were able to share her insight and delightful company. Mrs. Whitney never missed a beat and called every single day to see how "they" were doing.

It wasn't about her. She was one of a kind. Those were special days. Mrs. Whitney called their son, her "grandson" and she loved him dearly. She was a no nonsense grandma and would lecture Gabriel about life, learn from his everyday experiences. Be grateful to those who loved him, mentored him and not take life for granted.

Mrs. Whitney was a real jewel, she made people LAUGH. She'd straighten out your life in a heartbeat. She was motherly, she provided advice FREE, she truly cared.

Mrs. Whitney knew the end was nearing and she was ready, she wasn't afraid to let go. She wanted to join her beloved husband Ralph. Her doctor had quietly told her about her condition years earlier and how it would continue to take a toll on her body.

She said, "That when God called, she would not fight, she'd be ready." Yes, don't worry for Mrs. Whitney; she is where she wants to be.