Darwin Wayne Widmer

Darwin Wayne (D.W.) Widmer, passed home to Heaven and into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at the age of 92 at home on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at 11:25 pm. Darwin was surrounded by family members as he passed peacefully into eternity. Darwin was born on August 16, 1924- 8/16/24-8+8+8- how cool is that. He was raised in Parsons, KS, by his Aunt Caroline Porter where he attended Lincoln Grade School, East Junior High and Parsons Senior High, graduating in 1941. He graduated from Parsons Junior College in 1943 and the University of Wisconsin in 1947 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in Business Administration. He completed his education with a Master’s Degree from the University of Tulsa in 1955 and welcomed his first-born, Karen Lea, the same day of the ceremony, May 30, 1955. Mr. Widmer served in the U.S. Navy Reserves as a Seaman First Class during WWII from 1944-1946, in the Far East – Yokusha, Japan and Shanghai, China. Darwin met Elizabeth Juanita Long while working for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, OH. They married on February 14, 1951 and moved to Bartlesville where Darwin worked for Phillips Petroleum Company as an Industrial Engineer from 1952-1985 when he retired after 33 years of service. Dad was an avid stock market trader who loved teaching people about investing as well. Darwin enjoyed driving a Bartlesville school bus for 15 years after his retirement. Darwin and Betty lived life to the fullest over 43 years of marriage and were always busy raising a family of 3 kids, Karen, Susan and Victor. This beautiful and friendly couple had 2 fabulous hobbies that they absolutely enjoyed – dancing and travel. On Friday nights, they enjoyed music and dancing at the Moose Lodge participating in and teaching others the art and enjoyment of dancing with all kinds of Ballroom Dance steps – Swing, Fox Trot, Box Step, Waltz, Two-Step - you name it, they could do it! They enjoyed many special trips over their lifetime to places such as Hawaii, Germany, and the Grand Cayman Islands. Dad was chosen to “Come On Down” as a contestant on THE PRICE IS RIGHT TV show where he won an electric guitar and large, wooden wine cabinet (thanks to Mom’s help with the Squeeze Play price)! They also loved to eat at Murphy’s Steak House in Bartlesville! Darwin was actively involved in the Jaycees/Junior Achievement from 1953-1960. He served the OSPE - Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers - beginning in 1977 for many years and especially enjoyed helping coordinate the annual Math Counts competition. He was also involved in Kiwanis activities in the ‘90s. Darwin and Betty were active members of the First Presbyterian Church, serving the Lord in many ways. In 1999, Darwin met a wonderful lady, Patsy Tracy, and they soon struck up a long-lasting special relationship. He was blessed by the loving companionship of Patsy for over 18 years. Dad and Patsy loved to socialize and dance at the 55 Plus Club in Bartlesville. They also enjoyed watching sporting events on TV and cheering on their favorite OK teams – OU, OSU, OKC Thunder – whether it be football or basketball, Dad was an avid fan. Darwin Widmer was a loving and generous husband, father and papa. He was filled with life, energy, joy and laughter with a great sense of humor and a great quality of listening and making others feel special. He was a beautiful man with a beautiful, loving and generous heart. He lived fully and loved deeply, and he leaves an amazing legacy of lives touched and changed. Darwin Widmer was preceded in death by his father, George Arthur, when he was only 4 years of age; his mother, Mavie Marie, when she turned 89 here in Bartlesville; and his loving wife of 43 years, Elizabeth Juanita “Betty” Long Widmer in 1994. He is survived by his oldest daughter, Karen Lea Clark and her husband of 40 years, Randy, who reside in Arlington, TX; daughter Susan and her husband Chuck Alcedo of Arlington, Texas; Son Victor Gordon Widmer and Lee Ann Widmer of Dallas, TX, along with grandchildren Madison Alcedo of New York City, Lauren Elizabeth Widmer residing in Fayetteville, AR and namesake Jarrod Wayne Widmer, attending University of Kansas, Lawrence. Dad was a man of integrity and character and held those virtues in high esteem, passing those values along to his family. We are grateful and honored to have called him Dad and Papa. He was a very strong, kind, friendly, caring, giving man who fought like a trooper against several physical ailments at the end of his life. All who knew him will treasure his wonderful memory. We look forward to a grand reunion with him in Heaven one day. The suffering has ended. Rest in peace, Daddy. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 3, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at Stumpff Funeral Home, 1600 SE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, with family present to greet friends. Services will be held on Thursday, May 4, at 2:00 pm in the First Presbyterian Church, 505 S. Dewey, Bartlesville. Interment will follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery. Donations are welcome to Meals on Wheels, First Presbyterian Church, 505 S. Dewey, Bartlesville, Ok 74003 or Veterans of Foreign Wars at vfw.org.

Darwin Wayne Widmer

August 16, 1924 - April 27, 2017