Howard Clayton Whitman

Jennings

HOWARD CLAYTON WHITMAN

It is with much comfort and peace that the family of Howard Clayton Whitman announces his deliverance into Heaven to be with our Lord and Savior on February 3, 2023.   A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Howard cherished life and every moment he shared with his family and friends.  Howard loved God above all and believed and accepted Jesus as his Savior. 

Howard was born on July 20,1942, in his family home in Lowry, La., to Conrad, Sr. and Ora Monceaux Whitman.  He married the love of his life, Barbara Conner Whitman, on September 1, 1962, and together they raised five children who were his pride and joy.   Howard was a strong supporter of St Maria Goretti Catholic School and was a sports fanatic; able to rattle off any statistic or fact about college or NFL football teams any day of the week.  Attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events was always a top priority when he returned home from offshore or overseas.  Family was important to Howard.  He could sit for hours sharing stories with his children of his childhood growing up on the farm with 11 sisters and 5 brothers.  He sang to his children every chance he got because his fondest memories growing up included singing with his siblings around the piano.       

Howard graduated from Lake Arthur High School in 1961 where he was a member of the choir and was actively involved in sports.  He worked on the family farm since the age of six years old milking cows and driving the tractor.  After working a year after graduation as a farm hand, Howard entered the oilfield where he worked for 45 years. He retired after he was able to experience oil production overseas.  Companies he worked for included Placid Oil, Penrod, Torch, Norecen, and Baker Energy.

Howard’s love for sports kept him actively involved.  He pitched on the men’s softball team for many years and coached Jr High basketball at Goretti for eight years. He dedicated many volunteer hours coaching sports his children participated in.

Howard was a faithful Christian; raised and practiced Baptist until 1976 when he joined the Catholic Church.  He was baptized as a member of the Lake Arthur First Baptist Church and later a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Arthur where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and 3^rd degree Knight of Columbus.

Those left to cherish his memories include his children: Mark Whitman and his wife Donna of Portsmouth, Va; Wayne Whitman and his wife Lisa of Gueydan, La; Monica Blanchard of Lake Charles, La; Michelle Bentley and her husband, Jeff of Hathaway; and Rachel Suire and her husband, Addison of Hathaway, La.  His 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren; his siblings Martha and Lloyd Whitman; and numerous nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Conner Whitman; his great granddaughter, Chloe Moore; his parents, Conrad and Ora Whitman; and his siblings, Nathan Whitman, Raenita Elliot, Donald Whitman, Conrad Whitman, Jr, Herbert Whitman, Pearl Broussard, Shirley Hurst, Betty Belk, Margie Green, Vera Perry, Linda Bennett, Carolyn Hubert, Mildred Anthony and Joyce Hester.   

Visitation will be held at Miguez Funeral Home in Jennings, La. On Sunday, February 5^th, 2023. Family viewing will begin at 3pm with public viewing beginning at 4pm until 9pm.  A rosary will be recited at 6pm with the Eulogy immediately following presented by his son, Mark Whitman. 

Visitation will resume the next morning at 8am at the Lake Arthur First Baptist Church. Services will begin at 10am with Reverend Lloyd Whitman, Howard’s youngest brother, officiating.  Burial will immediately follow in St Anthony Cemetery in Lake Arthur.  Family will gather for fellowship at the Lake Arthur First Baptist fellowship hall immediately following the burial. 

Carrying Howard to his final resting place will be his grandsons, Derek Whitman, Clay Troutman, Preston (Trey) Blanchard III, Isaac Suire, and his grandson-in-laws, Steven Ory and Michael Moore,Jr. Honorary pallbearer will be his grandson, Dylan Suire.     

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the employees of Christus Hospice of Lake Charles, Dr Achee, and Monica Bourque, LPN.