Del was born in the Micawber–Paden area of Oklahoma on a working farm homesteaded by his parents, Delbert A and Ethel B Whetstone. Del was from a family of eight brothers and four sisters. Del was #6 in the family birth lineup. He spoke of his youth in Oklahoma with tender reflection, including his walking some distance to school, his chores that included taking the family cows to pasture, retrieving and then milking them. As a youngster he enjoyed going casual in overalls and being barefoot, but also loved being fully dressed up for church services and social events.
Del was a fabulous dresser, starting in his early childhood and teen years. The family recalls a photo taken of Del at about 12-13 years of age. He was immaculately dressed in a new sport suit with dress shirt, matching tie and to top it off – a new fedora hat. Stylish awareness was a part of Del’s persona, whether in civilian or in military life. He loved clothes, and his shoes were always fully shined.
In his early teens the family sold the farm holdings, bought a store in Bristow, OK, and for a short time Del enjoyed city life there. That afforded the older kids like Del, part-time jobs for earning spending money for local attractions, while attending school.
Upon the breakout of WWII the family moved to Los Angeles, California where Del’s older sisters, Nova and Lucille had recently moved. Lucille’s husband had joined the Army and was stationed nearby, awaiting being shipped overseas. High paying factory jobs were plentiful.
In 1947 Del joined the US Air Force, then called the Army Air Corps. Del spent a total of 21 years in the Air Force, spending time in Japan, the Philippine Islands, stateside, the Middle East, and France. Del finished his career stateside as a military recruiter for the Air Force.
It was early in his career while stationed in Oklahoma that he met a beautiful recent college graduate, Bette Jo Gevedon, working near where he was then stationed. Del, replete in his military dress and bearing several stripes of rank by this time, quickly showed his interest and persistence in dating her. They hit it off from the start and were soon married. First Jo, then Jo and the kids, Tony and Cori, travelled with Del from assignment to new assignment except where the location was remote and there were no family accommodations. Those times were rare thank goodness.
Following Del's 21 years of military service he joined the Glendora Police Department as assistant to the Police Chief and supervisor over all non-police functions. Those duties soon included a new assignment when Del made a proposal to save the Police Department money. Formerly the budget included contracting out to an auction house the task of selling off retired police vehicles and equipment plus all-unclaimed contraband. Being gregarious, high spirited and most confident, Del proposed that he take on that task as well. After 18 years Del retired from the Glendora Police Department. At his retirement party hosted by the Police Chief and Glendora Mayor, Del received a special award and much praise for his service.
Del and Jo enjoyed retirement in California, Oklahoma, and finally in North Carolina near his son and family. Sadly, Del lost his lovely wife and life partner when Bette Jo passed away unexpectedly on July 1, 2006. Del soon moved back to California to be near children, siblings and other close family. It was there that Del eventually through mutual friends, met and married his current wife, Merlee Espanola Gimotea in Hesperia, CA on May 23, 2017. They made their home in Apple Valley, CA near Del’s oldest sister Nova. Merlee proved to be a great wife and advocate for Del and an asset and close friend to Nova and made her new sister’s last year so very enjoyable. Nova, being in failing health would light up the room with her smile upon seeing her new-found sister Merlee enter the room.
Del is survived by his wife Merlee Whetstone; son, Dr. Tony Whetstone, daughter-in-law, Dr. Lauren M. Whetstone, daughter, Corinne J. Whetstone, all of Sacramento, CA; granddaughter, Emily C Whetstone, whom he adored, of Granada Hills, CA; a brother, Jack. W and wife Kathy S. Whetstone, a brother-in-law Jack J. Gonzales plus many beloved nephews and nieces and friends. Below is a poem Del loved.
High Flight
"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
Where never lark, or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
– Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."
John Gillespie Magee, Jr 1941
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