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Richard E. Whipple Okeechobee, FL QCWA # 32670 |
OKEECHOBEE - "Well done good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Master." These were, indeed, the first words that Pastor Richard E. Whipple heard from the lips of Jesus as he arrived in his eternal home on Monday afternoon, Aug. 1, 2016, after a lifetime of dedicated service to the Kingdom of God.
Richard Earl Whipple was born March 18, 1925 to Harry and Mazie Whipple. His father was the Pastor of West Little River Baptist church, and raised all five of his sons in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
He served his country with distinction in the Pacific Theater of World War II as a US Navy Radioman Second Class, aboard the ship HSS L.C.I. (M) 1088. He was discharged on Jan. 14, 1946, and remained an ardent patriot for the rest of his life.
He continued to operate a ham radio as a hobbyist, following his training in the service.
After his military career, he obtained a Bachelor's degree in History from Stetson University. He then obtained a Bachelor's degree in theology from Emmanuel Bible College, and would later go on to also be awarded a Doctorate of Divinity from them.
On Sept. 21, 1951, he married "his girl," Annette Chester. They had four children and spent 64 years of life, love, and ministry together.
There was nothing more important in life to Pastor Whipple, than the Word of God and teaching it to those around him. He pastored Lakeview Baptist Church in Miami, for 14 years and the First Baptist Church of Okeechobee, for 30 years, and in that time impacted countless lives for the Kingdom of God.
Following his retirement he was honored as the Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church of Okeechobee and Stetson University's Minister of the Year. He also served for a year as the Interim Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Avon Park, and continued to teach a Thursday night Bible study class for many years following.
To the very end of his days here on Earth, he was a student of the Bible. A memory that will always remain with his family, of his last years, was waking up in the mornings to find him sitting with his Bible and a small radio at his dining room table, studying the Word of God and listening to sermons from other pastors to continue his own faith walk.
His legacy of faith and service is one that is cherished by the family he leaves behind, and the heritage of ministerial service that started with his father and became so firmly established with his own ministry, continues past his death into a third and fourth generation with his son-in-law, and grandsons.
His life verse was Matthew 6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." His life was a model of the application of this verse, and truly his family will live to honor such a legacy.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Annette Whipple; his parents, Harry and Mazie Whipple; and his brothers, Harry Whipple, Jr., and Gary Whipple. He is succeeded by his brothers, David Whipple (Claire Whipple) and Danny Whipple (Nancy Whipple); brother-in-law, Lewis Chester (Karen Chester); sister-in-law, Nellie Whipple; his four children, Richard Whipple, Jr., Randall "Randy" Whipple, Robin Whipple, and Rhonda McGee (Steve McGee); daughter-in-law, Jean Whipple; his four grandchildren, Heath Whipple (LiAnn Whipple), Chris Whipple (Tammy Whipple), Seth McGee, and Caleb McGee; and his five great-grandchildren, Joy Whipple, Taylor Whipple, Kenli Whipple, John and Harper Whipple.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016 at Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Okeechobee with Pastor Steve McGee of Parkview Baptist Church of Lakeland officiating.
Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
The funeral service will be live streamed on the Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home Facebook page as well as the First Baptist Church of Okeechobee website, www.fbcokee.org.
Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com
All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton, Bass and Conway families of the Buxton & Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972