Phillip Gary Whisnant, McFall, MO

Friday, April 09 2010

Phillip Gary Whisnant traveled home to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Originally from central Arkansas, he has made his home in McFall these past ten years, sharing a second residence in Hollister, Missouri.

Gary lived an exciting life, living in numerous states and three continents since his birth on November 9, 1942 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Saudi Arabia showed him many adventures where he was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He then completed his overseas tour with a two year employment in Baumholder, Germany. Early retirement found him back in his home state in Conway, Arkansas.

As a young man, Gary understood the importance of education. He graduated from Old Main High School in North Little Rock in 1961 then received his Bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Arkansas in 1966. Later in life (after the birth of two sons), a one-year trip to College Station, Texas resulted in his Master’s degree from Texas A&M University. An athletic physique benefited him well where he played several sports, and lettered in football in high school. He received a football scholarship at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He took this energy into parenthood where he coached his kids in football and baseball. He was always ready to show other young athletes how to play correctly, even if on the opposing team.

Wonderful parents preceded Gary in death on their road to Heaven. His father, Ralph Finis Whisnant, and mother, Bonnie Rebecca (Easley) Whisnant, were a loving mom and dad, who taught Gary values and his faith in God.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Lona Whisnant. They married on December 21, 1996 in Omaha, Arkansas. It was a tie-free, jeans & boots only ceremony, which suited Gary just fine. Gary will be wearing his jeans on his final journey.

Also missing Gary will be two sons, a daughter, and eight grandchildren. They are: Steve and Stan Whisnant from Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas, Monica Getman from Springfield, Missouri, and his grandkids, Jordan, Skylar, Mackenzie, Sydney, and Jadyn Whisnant; and Carl, Dakota and Ashton Lund; sister, Sandra Sullards, Stone Mountain, Georgia and father and mother-in-law, Bill and Shirley Hanks, McFall, Missouri.

Gary was an avid outdoorsman, loving to hunt and fish. As a young man he worked as a park ranger with the Corps of Engineers on Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes near Mountain Home, along the Missouri/Arkansas borders. What a perfect job for him. In retirement he traveled as often as possible, spending weeks camping in the Florida Keys before returning home to McFall or Hollister. Gary was always on the move, and it’s a comfort for us to know that he is now traveling to be with our Savior in Heaven.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, April 10, at the New Hope Baptist Church, McFall, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial in Foster Cemetery, New Hampton, MO.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 pm at the church where friends may call after NOON Saturday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Hope Baptist Church, c/o Roberson Funeral Home, PO Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424.