Donald Howard Whittemore, 1952-2023

Donald Howard Whittemore, age 71, of Warren, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on February 8, 2023, in the presence of his beloved bride. Donald, known to many as Coach Whittemore, was born on February 2, 1952 in Davenport, Iowa to Dr. Joe David and Marguerite Whittemore. Coach Whittemore, played football at and graduated from Harding University. After graduation, he began his career as a coach and teacher in Brinkley, Arkansas, where he started his legacy of the Whittemore boys with the birth of his oldest son, John Douglas Whittemore. A few years later he was hired as a coach and teacher in Warren, Arkansas where he met his sweetheart, Cecilia Joyce Hurst Whittemore. They married on July 31, 1982 in the presence of their family and this wonderful community. A couple years later, the boy legacy continued with Joe David, followed by Robert, Daniel, and Nicholas. Don served 40 years as an educator and coach and spent 36 of those years with Warren School District. As the head coach of the Warren Jr. Jack football team he won 151 games and 7 Conference Championships, and a co-conference championship. During his tenure in Warren he also coached girls basketball (Jr. and Sr. High), girls track and field (Jr. and Sr. High), JV Baseball and Assistant Baseball, and Assistant Lumberjack Football coach. At his retirement in 2016, the mayor declared May 31st as Don Whittemore Day in Warren. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church and spent many evenings serving with the food bank. He was a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry since 1980. He loved his community and family and spent his life serving those around him so selflessly. Donald was a beloved husband, coach and teacher, father, friend, follower of Christ, and PawPaw. His legacy continues on in those he left behind.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Joe David and Marguerite Whittemore and siblings Joe David Jr., Robert, and Becky. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cecilia, his sons John Douglas (Ashley) of San Antonio, TX, Joe David (Taylor) of Austin, TX, Robert (Meredith) of Nashville, TN, Daniel (Haley) of Gulfport, MS, and Nick of Austin, TX; and his six precious grandkids: Lawson (5), Hudson (4) and Magnolia (22 months), Tripp (3) and James Howard (5 months), and newest addition Harrison Rye (2 weeks).

Funeral service was 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Warren, Arkansas. All arrangements are by Frazer’s Funeral Home.