Donald Wayne Whitlock

Mr. Donald Wayne Whitlock, age 78, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021, in Longview. Don was born on June 8, 1943, in Longview to the late Ruby and Ermer Mae (Herrin) Whitlock. He grew up and attended school in Gladewater, until the family moved to Crowell, where he graduated in 1962, but remained a part of his Gladewater High School Class of ‘62 as well. He met and married the former Mary Lee Smith in Crowell in 1964, and they moved back to Gladewater soon thereafter. He was a skilled mechanic for anything with an engine and retired from Deep South Equipment. He was a quiet, strong, and giving man who enjoyed tinkering in his shop, rebuilding things, especially old Ford tractors. He would drop whatever he was working on at a moment’s notice to help his family or anyone in need. A family member remarked, “You know it’s serious if Uncle Don shows up with a trailer.”

He is preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife, Mary Whitlock; a brother, Eugene Whitlock; sister, Grace McClain; and grandson, James Horn.

He is survived by his three children, Allan Whitlock and wife Pong Ae of Longview, Ronnie Whitlock and wife Tonya of Austin, Michelle Horn and husband Frog of Gilmer; sisters-in-law, Darlene Wheeler and husband Joe of Crowell, Sylvia Whitlock of East Mountain; brother-in-law, Ronnie Goodwin of Irving; nine grandchildren, Andy, Lisa, Chani, Kevin, Jeremy, Jessica, Mikayla, Kell, and Cole; seven great-grandchildren, Joshua, Daisy, Elliot, Molly, Eric, Kaylei, and Carter.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 30, 2021, in the Chapel of Croley Funeral Home of Gladewater with Bro. Mack Swain and Cody Swain officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Friendship Cemetery in Gladewater. Jeremy Horn, Matt Bailey, Skyler Bloomer, Kell Whitlock, Cole Whitlock, and Scott Foster will serve as pallbearers.