Albert "Ab" Owen Whitlow

Albert (Ab) Owen Whitlow, loving son, brother, father, and grandfather, passed from this life on April 29, 2019 at the age of 69. Ab (or Abby as he was fondly called by his family) was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma on June 5, 1949 to Sarah Anna Lee (Hallum) Whitlow and Zane Owen Whitlow. He was a proud 1967 graduate of Woodward High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree at Central State in Edmond. He married Shirley Ferguson while in college and they had three children, Kari, Ami and Zackri. Ab worked in many fields throughout his life, but was more recently known as the "best insurance man ever!" He and his son Zack were partners at Whitlow Insurance Agency, LLC in Langley, Oklahoma at the time of his death. Anyone who knew Ab for any length of time will remember his dry, quick wit. He had the uncanny ability to find humor and bring the light of laughter to the darkest of situations. Ab did this until the very end of his life. He was always looking for ways to make things better. And if it took a funny song he made up, a silly dance, or saying something teasing and hilarious - he was the guy who'd bring it, all with impeccable timing. Ab was strong. He wasn't afraid to share his strength with others and encouraged them to do the same. But in the midst of his strength was a core of compassion. He believed in leveling the playing field for everyone to have the best chance in life. Ab was tough. He was probably toughest on the ones he loved the most. He could see their greatest potential and wanted them to know it... and be it. Ab was kind. He was kind to animals - pretty sure there was a passel of dogs waiting on him on the other side. But even more importantly he was kind to others. One of the last things he told his family was to be nice to each other - and he meant it. Ab could play cards. Not well, necessarily, but he did it with intention. He intended to win; it just didn't always work out that way. He enjoyed poker nights with the guys and his brother and Sunday afternoons playing "Ma Rummy" with his mom and sister. He knew it was the time being spent together that was important, not the score at the end. Ab was a friend. With a handshake, a look in the eye, and a quick joke, you knew he was on your side. For all of us who love him, it is good to know he is on the other side looking out for us. Ab loved sports. He wasn't a player, but he loved being at his grandchildren's games to support them in any way he could. Ab loved. Many, in fact. Five wives and numerous girlfriends to be exact. (He would want that mentioned.) "Surely I'll get it right one day..." he might quip. And in many ways, he did, because HE LOVED BIG. Not in a frilly kind of way, but in a real way. A genuine way. A love that stays. His love changed the people he bestowed it on. He was fierce with his love and it was his family that benefited most from that love. Ab is survived by his mother, Sarah Anna Lee (Hallum) Whitlow Pippenger, Cushing, Okla.; his older brother and best friend Zane Vincent Whitlow, Tulsa, Okla.; his much younger sister and radio star Molly Raye (Whitlow) Payne, Cushing, Okla.; his daughter Kari Melissa (Whitlow) Purdie, Tulsa, Okla.; his son Zackri Leon Whitlow, Langley, Okla.; sons-in-law Dr. Roderick (Rod) Purdie, and Kyle Brown, Tulsa, Okla.; daughter-in-law Brooke Whitlow, Langley, Okla.; grandsons Whit Brown, Jack Purdie, Owen Purdie, Beckett Brown and granddaughter Chandler Brown, all of Tulsa, Okla.; brother-in-law Gjon Payne, Cushing, Okla.; sister-in-love, Cheryl Hill, Broken Arrow, Okla.; numerous favorite nieces and nephews, cousins and family, as well as a host of other friends and adopted family members. He is united in death with his beloved daughter Ami Paige (Whitlow) Brown, his father Zane Owen Whitlow, his sister Gwendolyn Lou (Whitlow) Buttram, step-father Lawrence D. Pippenger, and that aforementioned passel of canine companions. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Redeemer Church, 5415 East 101st Street, Tulsa, Okla. under the direction of Fitzgerald Funeral Service. Visitation will be held Friday, May 3, 2019 at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 3612 East 91st South, Tulsa, Okla. from 11:00 - 8:00 p.m. Family will be in attendance from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, A.L.L. research/treatment or the charity of your choice. "Good ideas come from bad situations." ~ Ab Whitlow Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500.

Albert "Ab" Owen Whitlow

June 5, 1949 - April 29, 2019