Homer Forrest Whitlow

Forrest was raised in Kress, TX by Homer and Mary Frances Whitlow. His dad called him Button, his family and friends called him Forrest or Papa, and the Air Force called him Homer, Whit, or Colonel Whitlow.

During summers as a young man, Forrest worked in Losson’s service station, at the Kress lumber yard, or out on a farm plowing on two sections of land. He also worked after school or on the weekends at the small grocery store his parents owned. He would stock the shelves; he learned how to butcher a side of beef; and he ran the store when his parents went fishing. Prior to being called up by Uncle Sam, he worked in the US Post Office in Kress -- when first class stamps were three cents, air mail stamps were six cents, and post cards could be mailed for a penny. He made $1.30 per hour.

Forrest enlisted in the Air Force on Jan 4, 1951, during the Korean Conflict. After basic training at Lackland AFB, he attended the Aircraft and Engine maintenance school at Sheppard AFB, with emphasis in jet engines and aircraft. He served as a crew chief on F-86s at Nellis AFB. He had three stripes and made $105 a month with room and board. He applied for and was accepted in the pilot training class of 53G. After graduation, he was assigned back to Nellis AFB as a fighter pilot, and he attended the fighter weapons school in 1954. He served from May 1954 to May 1957 in the 22nd Fighter Day Squadron at Bitburg AB, Germany, flying F-86s and F-100s. Buzz Aldrin was his flight commander. Chuck Yeager would occasionally fly in, and all the pilots would gather in the Officer’s Club to hear Chuck weave stories of flight. After this three-year tour, Forrest returned state side with orders to Nellis AFB, Nevada.

He married Jolene (Jo) Kirkpatrick in Plainview on August 16, 1957, after meeting her three months prior in May 1957 when he returned from Germany. His first-grade friend introduced them and was their best man in their wedding. Forrest always said, "I loved her the first day we met." They moved to Nellis AFB where he was a flight instructor in the Fighter Weapons School which trained pilots to be fighter pilots. He flew the F-80, F-86, F-100, and F-104. Jo applied for and was accepted in the school program on base and taught during their assignment at Nellis AFB. Shortly after their arrival, one of the USAF Thunderbird pilots was killed in a flight training accident, and Forrest was selected to fly the right wing for several months before he was moved to the slot position. After flying with the Thunderbirds, his next assignment was to test-fly fighter aircraft that had been “in the repair shop” at McClellan AFB.

While serving in the Air Force, the Whitlow’s first child, Denise Ann, was born in Sacramento, CA, and their second daughter, Elise Linn was born when they were stationed in Fairborn, OH. Over the course of the next 26 years while in the Air Force, they lived and served in Nevada, California, Japan, Hawaii, Alabama, Ohio, Texas, and Nebraska; and Forrest served a year in Vietnam. They had a wonderful journey together with their family during this period.

Upon his retirement in July 1977, Forrest was awarded the Legion of Merit medal for services rendered. During his career he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (First OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal (First OLC), Small Arms-.45 pistol Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and various ribbons for overseas duty. As a pilot he flew various aircraft including the T-6, T-28, T-33, F-80, F-86, F-100, and F-104.

After retiring from the Air Force in July 1977, they moved to Lubbock, where Forrest took advantage of the GI Bill to enroll in classes at Lubbock Christian University and where Jo taught fourth grade at Lubbock Christian School for 19 years. Forrest later became the manager of the LCU Bookstore and was employed at Lubbock Christian University from 1980 to 1997. One of the greatest highlights of his life, Forrest loved his time at LCU where he took the opportunity to befriend and mentor numerous college students.

Forrest loved his savior Jesus Christ and was a member of the South Plains Church of Christ, where he served in a number of ministry areas and as an elder for many years.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in law Denise and Warren McNeill of Lubbock, and Elise and Scott Marshall of Sundown; grandchildren Jarred and Kelsie McNeill, Beau and Alanna McNeill, Kyler and Hannah Marshall, and Kaden Marshall. Great grandchildren include Brecken McNeill, Kolston McNeill, Maryn McNeill, Whitten McNeill, Lainey McNeill, and Hayes Marshall. Also surviving Forrest is sister-in-law Joy Adcock of Amarillo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lubbock Christian University.

Live streaming of Forrest services can be viewed at the following link:

https://vimeo.com/event/4245745/d0071b8498