Lawrence Mitchell Whitfield

July 22, 1926 - November 8, 2011

Whit Whitfield age 85, passed away at his home with his family by his side on November 8, 2011. He was born July 22, 1926, in Portland, Oregon, to James and Laura (Steanson) Whitfield. He married Carol Bergstrom in McMinnville, Oregon, on June 7, 1947.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946 and again from 1950 to 1951. He graduated from the Oregon State University School of Forestry in 1950. He began his career with the U.S. Forest Service on the Trinity National Forest on the Weaverville District. He also worked at Harrison Gulch, Hayfork, Trinity Center and Big Bar before working on the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests, the Washington Office and Region 1 headquarters in Missoula, MT. He retired from the Forest Service in 1981 as the Regional Forester for Region 8 in Atlanta, GA. In 1965 he was admitted to practice law by the California State Bar Association. In 1982, Whit and Carol moved to Redding and he began an 18 year long law practice.

Whit was an avid fisherman and hunter. He particularly enjoyed steel head fishing on the Trinity River and his time living, fishing and hunting in Montana. He and Carol traveled often after his retirement from the Forest Service, enjoying trips to such places as England, china, and Egypt. While in Egypt he worked on a reforestation project sponsored by the United Nations.

Whit is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol, his daughter Susan Pass (Don) of Crescent City, his son James Whitfield (Karen Lewis) of Porterville, his grandchildren Justin Whitfield of Stevensville, MT, Ethan Pass of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Kyle Pass (Stevannie) of Galt, CA. Madeline and Logan Lewis - Whitfield of Stevensville, MT and Olivia Pass of Galt, CA, as well as his beloved dog, Tanner.

Whit's family is planning to hold a celebration of his life next Spring. No date has yet been selected.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Forest Museum in Missoula, MT.