Donald Whipple Jr.
DELAWARE — Donald L. Whipple Jr., 48, of Delaware passed away Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, in Grady Memorial Hospital in Delaware, following an unexpected illness.
Born on Oct. 26, 1959, in Landstuhl, Germany, Mr. Whipple grew up in Cortland, Ohio, where he graduated from the Lakeview High School in 1978. He then attended Youngstown State University. In May of 1982, he then moved to the Delaware area.
In October of 1980, he entered the Ohio State Patrol 109th Academy Class, and graduated from that class in February of 1981, thus becoming a patrol trooper. In 1992, he transferred to the investigative services of the Ohio State Patrol. He was assigned to the former Governor Voinovich’s Executive Protection Group from March of 1998 to August of 1999. In late August of 1999, he was promoted to chief inspector with the Department of Youth Services. In June of 2005, he was then promoted to the senior investigator with the Department of Youth Services. While associated with the Department of Youth Services, he was active in numerous committees, such as the Central Office Safety Committee, MARCS Advisory Board Member, Homeland Security Representative, Use of Force Committee and 2003 Legal Division Employee of the Year. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Investigative Unit, member and Chairman of the Olentangy Youth Athletic Football Association. He was very involved with his children in the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed water skiing and other water sports and especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Recently, he had been furthering his education and was attending classes at The Ohio State University.
He is survived by his wife, Tracy A. Whipple (Braun), whom he married on May 1, 1982; two sons, Kevin Whipple of Columbus and Nathan Whipple of Cincinnati; his mother, Joretta Whipple of Howard; sister, Kyma Rice (John) of Howard; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald L. Whipple Sr.; paternal and maternal grandparents; aunts, uncles and a great aunt, Elizabeth Kelly.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, Jan. 13, from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., and then again on Monday, from noon until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. in the Rodman Neeper Funeral Home, 1510 W. William St., Delaware, with the Rev. Patrick Bailey of Howard officiating. Burial will be in the Cheshire Cemetery, Delaware.
Memorial contributions if desired may be given to the U.S. Army Emergency Relief Fund, Fort McCoy, Attn: Becky Sawyer, 2187 South J. Street, Fort McCoy, WI 54656-5150.
