Donald Cordell Whitfield

Don was born in Altus, Oklahoma, on July 1, 1933, to Oma (Brooke) and Ernest Whitfield. He was one of six children, and due to family circumstances, was placed into an orphanage in Pryor, Oklahoma along with his brothers and sisters. It was at that orphanage in high school that he had the opportunity to play ball against Mickey Mantle from the New York Yankees. This fired his passion for baseball, which carried throughout his life.

Don joined the Army in 1953, and even though he didn’t see combat, he was stationed overseas in Germany for a bit. He was a PFC and honorably discharged in 1955.

He moved to Denver after being discharged to live with his sister, Irene Mylander Glascow. He was hired on at the National Biscuit Company, which later would become Nabisco.

He met his wife and love of his life, Virginia (Gallegos), at Nabisco, and they were married June 23, 1962 in Denver. In 1963 they moved to Northglenn, where he lived until his death.

They had one daughter, Gina Deneen (Whitfield) Lantz in 1966.

Don had many interests which included bowling, camping, fishing and Oklahoma Sooners football, but his first love was always baseball, especially the Yankees. He was excited when the Colorado Rockies came to town and would go to many games, with his wife, and a couple with his grandson Josh and his daughter.

He played softball for many years on a men’s league and then on to the Scrap Iron Senior Softball league. He even got to play a year of softball with his daughter and her coworkers. He tried to help coach one of his grandsons in T-ball, but sadly neither one of his grandsons shared his love of baseball.

Don is survived by his wife Virginia (Gallegos), daughter Gina Deneen (Whitfield) Lantz, son-in-law Joe Lantz, grandsons Jeremy Lantz and Joshua Lantz, grandaughter Jessica Moskal, sister Christine Whitfield and brother David Whitfield.

Don is preceded in death by his mother Oma Brooke Whitfield Frost, father Ernest Whitfield, sisters Irene (Whitfield) Mylander Glascow and Cecilia Mae (Whitfield) Spinhirne, and brother Paul Whitfield.

To live and die on the field - it’s a baseball way of life!

We love you Don W.

The family has requested flower arrangements without lilies, due to a possible allergic reaction. Thank You.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.