Barton Ray Wherritt

Barton Ray Wherritt, age 79, passed away peacefully in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on September 23, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born in Elk City, OK, on November 22, 1944, to Edwin and Ina Wherritt of the Trail Flats west of Leedey, OK. He lived a life full of dedication to his family, career, and his church. He was a member of the Independence United Methodist Church until its closing this past February. Barton will be remembered for his passion for farming and his knowledge of cattle.

Barton graduated from Thomas High School in 1963 where he was active in FFA, including land judging. By age 15, Barton knew farming was what he wanted to do. From a young age of 10, he started investing in livestock and crops. He started with chickens and later began to raise rabbits, butchering them and selling the meat to people in town. He picked up part-time jobs washing dishes and carrying groceries at Vernie’s IGA to support his livestock habit. At 14 years old, he had two or three calves and fed hogs everyday, making a daily circle in his pick up truck picking up slop and scraps from the grocery store, the school and the town cafe to feed them. He was always hauling something stinky in the bed of his truck. He began acquiring tiny plots of land all over town to plant corn, cotton and wheat. Barton would harvest the plots and take the produce to market to sell and reinvest in his agriculture operation. He saved every bit he made in order to buy the necessities, plant more crops and feed his livestock.

On April 23, 1965, Barton married the love of his life, Karen Joyce Tharp, in Custer City, OK. They started out in the farmhouse at the Jabbok School where the rent was 30 bucks a month before eventually buying the family homestead in 1970, 10 miles west of Thomas, the base of his farming and cattle operation. Barton began to work with order buyer, Harley Hamar, and only owned 150 cattle at the time; this number grew in his later years to 2000 head. In ‘73 Barton started his own order-buying business. Ever since then, buying and selling cattle has been his main source of revenue. Barton said, “In the order-buying business, people depend on me to spend their dollars well,” and that’s exactly what he has worked hard at for the last 50 years.

Barton and Karen were married for nearly 60 years. To this union they had four children: Rodney, Butch, Renae and Kristi. He was a devoted father, husband and loved being “Pop” to his grandchildren. He taught his children the value of hard work and the art of being ornery, which showed the depth of their love for one another. He was dedicated to his country church, where he taught Sunday School for adults and youth over the years. He loved the challenge of cards and dominoes and often triumphed in his matches, even against the most formidable opponents.

Barton is preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Ina (South) Wherritt, his in-laws Marie and Coval Tharp, and granddaughter Maci Wherritt. He is survived by his wife Karen Joyce, his four children Rodney and wife Roshelle, Butch and wife Kasey, Renae Haymaker and husband Drew, and Kristi Wherritt. One sister, Wendi Brimmer and husband Bob, and one brother Phil Wherritt and wife Jane, six grandchildren: Kole and Taylor Wherritt, Regan and Hayden Lemieux, Kaleb Schrock, Rosalind and Kelby White, Rayne Wherritt, and Jesse Haymaker. Six great-grandchildren Tripp, Shea, Reece, Hazelle, Hillery and Walker, and a host of extended family and friends. Contributions in Barton’s honor may be made to the First Baptist Church of Thomas.

Visitation will begin at 4:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, September 27th at Kiesau Funeral Home, 2500 W. Modelle, Clinton, OK. Services for Barton will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 28, in the First Baptist Church, 301 N. Main St. Thomas, OK, with interment following in the Independence Cemetery, Custer City, Oklahoma under the care of Kiesau-Lee funeral home.