Stephen Randolph Whitten

Stephen (Steve) Randolph Whitten passed away in the comfort of his home on the morning of December 30, 2021 at the age of 72. Steve was born in Duncan, OK to Jerry Don Whitten and Betty Lois Whitten at the Lindley Hospital on January 22, 1949. Steve graduated from Duncan High School in 1967 and then earned bachelors and masters degrees from The University of Oklahoma. Shortly after graduation from Duncan High School, he joined the National Guard and served in the Guard until 1972.

Steve is survived by his wife of 40 years, Darlene Whitten of Duncan; his daughter, Leigh and Marcus McEntire of Duncan; his son, Matthew Whitten of Duncan; his father, Jerry Don Whitten of Duncan; his brother, John and Socorro Whitten of Grand Prairie, TX; his sister, Missy Whitten Craig and Hal Craig of Tampa, FL; his brother, Jerry Don (Butch), Jr. and Jamie Whitten of Duncan; and three grandchildren, Ian McEntire of Oklahoma City, Ainsley McEntire of Duncan, and Parker Whitten of Marlow. Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Lois Whitten; grandparents, Fred and Daisy Whitten, and John and Deede Whitten of Duncan.

In 1976, Steve joined the Whitten Insurance Agency to work with his father, Jerry Whitten, and grandfather, John Whitten. Prior to that, Steve worked as an underwriter for United States Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Co. During his time as an insurance agent at Whitten Insurance Agency, he constantly looked for opportunities to learn and hone his expertise in insurance. He was inducted into the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, was a Certified Work Comp Advisor, and a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter. He helped hundreds of Duncan citizens and business owners with their insurance needs over the 42 years he ran the agency. He had a keen mind for insurance and knew the industry like the back of his hand. Many have commented that no one knew insurance like Steve.

Steve was smart, funny, and well-read. He loved to tease and joke and was an avid fly fisherman, read multiple books, periodicals, and newspapers each week, was arguably one of OU’s biggest sports fans, collected fountain pens, completed the LA Times crossword puzzle every day, adored 60s folk music, enjoyed quail hunting, and had a knack for creating enduring nicknames for his friends and family.

Most importantly, Steve was a good friend and would never allow an opportunity for conversation to go to waste whether at the post office or on Main Street. He was a genuinely likeable and unselfish man. If there was a need in our community, Steve would spring into action to help. He was proud to serve as a past United Way Chair and that experience solidified his faith in the United Way and its mission. He believed in the UW and gave faithfully. Steve regularly attended the Duncan Rotary Club where he was a past president and served as the club’s “food wrangler” while also volunteering to help with the Annual Christmas Rotary Auction.

Steve will be missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Duncan Regional Hospital Health Foundation for hospice care or to the Stephens County United Way. A memorial service will be held at Whitt Funeral Home on Friday, January 7, 2022, at 10:30 am.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www.whittfh.com.

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