Dwayne Lee “Sam” Whisenhunt was born February 4, 1941, in Lula, Oklahoma, to C.L. “Blackie” Whisenhunt and Lora Mildred Marie Stevenson Whisenhunt. He died Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Owasso, Oklahoma, at the age of 84 years. Sam completed his secondary education in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and graduated with the East Central High School Class of 1959. He continued his education attending East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, then Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where he earned his master’s degree. This would be the beginning of a lifelong career in education as a teacher and counselor.
Sam was married on August 7, 1965, in Pecos, Texas, to Barbara Johnson. They made their home in Tulsa where Sam taught at Monroe Junior High before moving to Foster Junior High School where he also taught and began his career as a guidance counselor eventually moving to East Central High School as a counselor. After he retired from Tulsa Public School, he had a second career as a counselor at Tulsa Tech Airpark Campus. He considered his students success his life’s work and was proud of all they accomplished.
Sam was a strong man of faith and was a member of Central Baptist Church in Owasso where he served as a Trustee and on the building committee. He grew up in and was a charter member of Plainview Baptist Church in Tulsa where he was a Sunday School teacher, Deacon and served the congregation in many other capacities. He enjoyed a variety of pastimes including spending time on the water fishing. He was also an excellent carpenter and his wooden cars, rocking horses, jewelry boxes, saddle stands, clocks and numerous other creations grace the homes of family and friends around the country. Sam was also known for the garden he kept his entire life and produce he shared with everyone—his pickled okra was prized by family and friends. Sam dearly loved his family, especially his grandchildren who affectionately knew him as “Papa”.
Those he leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include:
His wife of over 60 years; Barbara
Two sons; Brian Lee Whisenhunt and husband Mitchell H. Smith
Eric Dwayne Whisenhunt and wife Becca Whisenhunt
Grandchildren; Lora Marie Whisenhunt
Samuel Lee Whisenhunt
Daxton Barrett Whisenhunt
He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Donna Marie Whisenhunt
Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel in Owasso with Pastor Clayton Chisum officiating. Final resting place will be at Lula Cemetery in Lula, Oklahoma with his parents, sister and many other relatives. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
www.moweryfs.com
Sam was married on August 7, 1965, in Pecos, Texas, to Barbara Johnson. They made their home in Tulsa where Sam taught at Monroe Junior High before moving to Foster Junior High School where he also taught and began his career as a guidance counselor eventually moving to East Central High School as a counselor. After he retired from Tulsa Public School, he had a second career as a counselor at Tulsa Tech Airpark Campus. He considered his students success his life’s work and was proud of all they accomplished.
Sam was a strong man of faith and was a member of Central Baptist Church in Owasso where he served as a Trustee and on the building committee. He grew up in and was a charter member of Plainview Baptist Church in Tulsa where he was a Sunday School teacher, Deacon and served the congregation in many other capacities. He enjoyed a variety of pastimes including spending time on the water fishing. He was also an excellent carpenter and his wooden cars, rocking horses, jewelry boxes, saddle stands, clocks and numerous other creations grace the homes of family and friends around the country. Sam was also known for the garden he kept his entire life and produce he shared with everyone—his pickled okra was prized by family and friends. Sam dearly loved his family, especially his grandchildren who affectionately knew him as “Papa”.
Those he leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include:
His wife of over 60 years; Barbara
Two sons; Brian Lee Whisenhunt and husband Mitchell H. Smith
Eric Dwayne Whisenhunt and wife Becca Whisenhunt
Grandchildren; Lora Marie Whisenhunt
Samuel Lee Whisenhunt
Daxton Barrett Whisenhunt
He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Donna Marie Whisenhunt
Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel in Owasso with Pastor Clayton Chisum officiating. Final resting place will be at Lula Cemetery in Lula, Oklahoma with his parents, sister and many other relatives. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
www.moweryfs.com
