Earl Whittaker

Earl Ray Whittaker, Ponca City resident, died Friday, October 23, 2026 at TouchMark Assisted Living in Edmond. He was 89.

A Viewing will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Trout Funeral Home in Ponca City, Oklahoma. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Northeast Baptist Church with the Rev. Scott Melton, Pastor, Northeast Baptist Church, officiating.

Earl Ray Whittaker was born in Chowchilla, California on October 12, 1937 to Othal and Laura Whittaker. On March 7, 1958 he married Zona Gale Sanders in Ponca City. Earl served in the Army National Guard his Junior and Senior years of high school. He served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1960 and in the Air Force Reserve until 1962. He spent several years working in Shawnee, Ok as an electrician for Oklahoma Baptist University. He later taught Electrical Trade at Vo Tech in Ponca City. After retiring from teaching at Ponca City, he worked for The City of Ponca City as the Electrical inspector. He enjoyed traveling around the world with Zona visiting many different countries. Earl cherished spending time with family, whether camping at Broken Bow Lake, celebrating holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, or opening his home to host Class of'56 reunions and various church group activities. He found joy in bringing people together and creating lasting memories with family, friends, and his church community. He was an amateur ham radio operator and longtime member of the Kay County Amateur Radio Club (KCARC) in Ponca City.

Earl is survived by wife, Zona, three sons and their wives, Tracy and Janice Whittaker of Inola, OK, Greg and Karen Whittaker of Edmond, OK, and Bryce and Fonda Whittaker of Magnolia, TX. He is survived by five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Leon Whittaker of Wichita, KS. Earl was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Joyce Oney and Deloris Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Northeast Baptist Church Building Fund, 2200 N. Pecan Road, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74604.