Walter Maurice Whitlow

Walter Maurice Whitlow, 84 of Arab died Sunday, September 28, 2014 at Marshall Medical Center North E.R. Mr. Whitlow was born April 15, 1930 in Hope, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Junius Artie Whitlow and Maymie Griffin Whitlow and two Brothers: George W. Whitlow and Artie Whitlow, Jr. and one sister: Elouise Whitlow Profitt. He and the former Patsy Jean Allen were married 58 years and have called Arab their home since 1993. He was a retired Safety Engineer with Monsanto in Decatur and a devoted member of Gilliam Springs Baptist Church. Maurice started his Fire Protection career at age 15 as a volunteer fireman in his home town of Minden, Louisiana. After high school he served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He enjoyed playing baseball and football and played football for the Air Force, Naha, Japan Eagles. After his active duty he attended Louisiana Tech where he played football. He graduated from Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) Fire College. He also received Law Enforcement and Political Science degrees from Jacksonville State University. He worked for Chemstrand Chemical Company, which later became Monsanto, for 28 and a half years in Safety and Fire Protection. He was a fire protection instructor at the Texas A & M Fire Training School in College Station, Texas for 12 years. He is survived by his wife: Patsy Whitlow; children and spouses: Stewart (Lisa) Whitlow of Arab and Mark (Jenny) Whitlow of Grant; grandchildren and spouse: Jeremy Blake (Tyra) Whitlow of New Hope, Erin Whitlow of Arab, Ashlyn Whitlow of Arab, John William Whitlow of Grant and Clark Whitlow of Grant; great grandchildren: Dathan Whitlow, Delancey Whitlow, Darcey Whitlow and Daxton Whitlow all of New Hope, Alabama. Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Gilliam Springs Baptist Church, Brother Jamey Pruett and Brother Blake Whitlow, officiating. Graveside committal with Military Honors and burial will be in Gilliam Springs Cemetery, Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel, directing. Pallbearers will be Don Burgett, Larry Farley, Frank Howard, Larry Shoemaker, Blake Whitlow, Clark Whitlow, Dathan Whitlow and John W. Whitlow. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Don Burgett Sunday School Class at Gilliam Springs Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Gilliam Springs Baptist Church.

Walter Maurice Whitlow

April 15, 1930 - September 28, 2014