Harold Whitbeck

May 12, 1920 – Sept. 7, 2013

Harold Whitbeck passed away September 7, 2013, in Winlock, Oregon at age 93.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Spray Assembly of God Church on Saturday, September 21st, at 1:30 p.m.

Harold was born on May 12, 1920 in Rainier, Oregon, graduating from Rainier High School in 1940. He enlisted in the Army Air Force and served overseas in Africa and Europe during World War II. Between tours of duty, Whitbeck married Leona Barton, of St. Helens, Oregon, on November 3, 1943, in Cedar City, Utah. During the war, he flew over 50 missions, was shot down twice, imprisoned once, and earned a Purple Heart.

After the war he attended Pacific University on the GI bill. He taught science and coached at Springfield High School for 27 years. He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Leona, in 1998 after 55 years of marriage.

He is survived by four daughters: Glenna and husband, Lee Roy Johnson of Springfield; Barbara Whitbeck of Caldwell, Idaho; Sally and husband, Paul Donovan of Winlock; Kathy and husband, Chris Cotton of Denver City, Texas; and a son, Rob and wife, Lari Whitbeck of Fossil; plus 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.