Bobby Gene Whitener passes away

Bobby Gene Whitener, a Coalgate resident since 2004, passed away September 8, 2021, in Joplin, MO, at the age of 87. No service is planned at this time.

An only child, Bobby was born in Alex (Grady County), OK, on June 22, 1934, to Albert and Blanche Whitener.

Bobby started driving a truck at age 15 and was a truck driver to his core. He and his cousin H.E. “Spook” Whitener started Trailiner Corporation in Springfield, MO in 1976. He loved trucking and talking to everyone he met. The last trip he made was from Tulsa, OK to Ohio in April of this year.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Margaret, of the home; daughter Bobbie Waller and husband Russ of Coalgate; son Ron Whitener of Coalgate; son Jodie Whitener and wife Shelly of Springfield, MO; grandson Pastor Chip Reynolds and wife Kathryn of Victoria, TX; granddaughter Katrina Baltz and husband Seth, Springfield, MO; grandson Brandon Whitener of Coalgate; grandson Spencer Whitener, Springfield, MO; 12 great-grandchildren; and cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many friends all over the country.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Blanche Whitener; grandsons Jeremy Reynolds and Jimmy Whitener; and uncle Jodie Johnston.