Funeral service for SGM (Retired)  Ira Edward "Uncle Buddy" Whitaker will be at 10:30 am Friday, February 17, 2017 in the Sterling School Auditorium with James Rennaker, Minister of the Church of Christ, Sterling officiating.

Burial with full military honors will be in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home of Fletcher.

Ira Edward Whitaker, 82, Fletcher passed away on Saturday February 4th, 2017 at his home in Fletcher.  Ira was born November 9th, 1934 in Park Springs Texas to Ira and Ruie Whitaker.  He attended Alvord and Bowie High School where he graduated in 1952.  Ira enlisted in the Army in October 1952; graduating from basic & advanced individual training in air defense at Fort Bliss TX as an Operation Intelligence Specialist and sent immediately to Korea, assigned to Battery C15th automatic weapons Battalion, 7th Infantry Division as a gun crewman on quad fifty caliber machine guns mounted on half-tracks, he arrived as a Private and left as the First Sergeant of the Battery.

After Korea he had numerous assignments in Fort Polk, LA, Fort Bragg NC, Fort Steward GA, Germany and Fort Sill Oklahoma.  In 1957 when in the 82nd Airborne Division he was sent to Fort Steward Georgia as a NCOIC of summer training for all of the Southern area National Guard units of Five states.  He departed the Air Defense in 1958 and worked in the field artillery MOS as well as armored and missile command returning to the field artillery in 1963. SGM Whitaker departed for Vietnam in 1968 assigned as First Sergeant to C Battery 8th Battalion of 6th Artillery 1st Infantry Division.  One of the finest units he stated he had ever served.  Upon returning to Fort Sill in August 1969 he was assigned to 8th Battalion 17th Artillery as first Sergeant Service Battery.  Later assigned as Command Sergeant Major his rank being 1st Sergeant.  SGM Whitaker during his career attended AAA Platoon Sergeant, non-Commission Office, Lacrosse Missile Firing Battery, USA Jungle Training, Survey School and Special Weapons.

In 1972, he was reassigned as 75th Artillery Group Operations Sergeant Major rank 1st Sergeant, in April 1972 he was promoted to rank of Sergeant Major E9, January 1974 SGM Whitaker was selected for appointment to Command Sergeant Major at which time he declined as he was planning for retirement.  SGM Whitaker left the military with mixed emotions stating it was hard to leave such good and dedicated friends and soldiers, they would be in his heart forever.

Military declarations include: The Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, Two Bronze Stars,  Two Army Commendation medals, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Republic of Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Republic of Vietnamese CIV-ACT Honor Medal, Republic of Vietnam Combat Medal w/ 60 Device, Civil Actions Medal, Five Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal.

Ira married Wanda Marple on December 23rd 1960 in Wichita Falls Texas. They were married for 57 years.  Upon retirement from the military in 1974 he had operated a farm along with owning and operating two restaurants with Wanda for over 20 years.  He was a member of the Church of Christ, active in many clubs and school events.  He worked with the VFW Post 8580 of which he was Commander for 8 years as well as American Legion Post 306, the Lions Club, Purple Heart Association, Legion of Valor and a school board member where he was the President.  He coached Little League ball, worked with Boy Scouts, 4-H club, the FFA club and was a member of the Cache Creek Tractor Club.  He was awarded the Lion of the Year in 1988, 89, and 90 and also awarded Honorary FFA Chapter Degree.  In June 2011 he was awarded the Distinguished Member of the 6th Field Artillery Regiment and Honorary Member of the 5th Field Artillery Regiment at First Division Headquarters, Fort Riley, Kansas.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Whitaker of the home; two sons: Richard Whitaker of Oklahoma City, Brian Whitaker and wife Melissa of Moore, one daughter:  Thea Clayborn and partner Cheryl Scott of Oklahoma City; five grandchildren Brandon Clayborn, Clint Clayborn, Shelly Stolp, Dustin Whitaker, Colt Whitaker; and six great grandchildren: Lynnea, Sadie, Ian, Braidon, Isaac and Oliver along with many loved relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Ira and Ruie Whitaker: Eight brothers; Chestal, Joe, Glen, Myrle, Lewis, James, Troy and Bryant; and four sisters: Marguerite, Jimmie, Pearl, Joy, and a son James Whitaker.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to VFW 8580, American Legion Post 306 Fletcher OK, or the American Heart Association Oklahoma Chapter.