8/12/1934 – 7/27/2018
Omaha –
Paul L. Whitfield, Jr. was born on August 12, 1934 in Augusta, Kansas. He was the first child of Paul L. Whitfield, Sr. and Dorothy Adkins Whitfield. Two years later his sister, Jo, was born, and 6 years after that his sister, Treva. When he was 12 the family moved to a farm outside of Holden, Missouri. He was 15 when he first felt the call from God. He graduated from Holden High School in 1952. He attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO for 2 years, studying agriculture. In 1954, unable to ignore the call, he transferred to Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma to prepare for ministry. While he was there, he met a young woman in some of his classes name Equella Peterson, from Harrisonville, Missouri, and they became friends. A couple of years later they started working in the seminary library together and eventually began dating. They became engaged in March of 1957, and were married at First Christian Church in Harrisonville, Missouri on June 13, 1957, just a couple of weeks after they both received their bachelor degrees from Phillips. He was ordained into ministry at First Christian Church in Holden, Missouri on August 19, 1956. He attended Phillips University Seminary and graduated in 1960. In August of 1958, while he was still in seminary, his daughter, Mary, was born. In November of 1960 his son, John David, was born. Sadly, he was premature and only survived for 2 days. In September of 1962 his daughter, Paula, was born. He served 12 churches during his ministry: Anthony, KS; Laverne, OK; Plattsmouth, NE; Hebron, NE; El Dorado Springs, MO; Pleasant Hill, MO; Richmond, MO; Hobart, OK; Marceline, MO; Monroe City, MO; Ozark, MO; Scottsbluff, NE. In October of 1997 he and Equella were in a car accident which eventually led to the need for him to retire due to injuries from the accident. They moved to the Omaha, NE area to be near their daughters and their families, which by then included 4 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Lizz), DeLacey (Lace), Dane and Johnathan. They joined First Christian Church in Omaha and became active members in the Victory Sunday School class there. In November of 2016 a great-grandson, Theodore (son of Lizz), was born.
Growing up, Paul had always planned to be a farmer, and he loved being outdoors, and was remained a country boy at heart. The family would spend summer vacations on his parents’ farm in Missouri, where he would help his dad with hay baling and take his daughters fishing in the pond behind the house with his mom. He started playing the violin at an early age, and would still pull it out occasionally many years later to play for his grandkids. While they lived in Plattsmouth, he became a member of the volunteer rescue squad. He was also a certified Red Cross first aid instructor, and taught classes for several years. He loved music, and in addition to playing the violin, he sang. In his younger years he and his sister, Jo, would sing duets. While they lived in Scottsbluff he started singing with a barbershop quartet, and did a little of that after coming to Omaha as well. He was also a member of the church choir at First Christian Church in Omaha for a while. He enjoyed working with his hands. He refinished several pieces of furniture that are still in the family. With the help of a church member in Plattsmouth, he built a trailer that the family used for many years of camping. He was very active in church camps for youth in Nebraska and Missouri. He and Equella would often work together as co-directors or counselors. Much of their time in Omaha was spent with family. They attended as many of their grandchildren’s activities as they possibly could—sporting events, Christmas programs, grandparent days at school, honors programs, band concerts, gymnastics meets, dance recitals, and whatever else they might have been involved in. And there was always something to celebrate—birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and “just because” lunches and dinners and visits. In 2007 he and Equella celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal and reception at First Christian Church in Omaha.
In addition to his infant son, he was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters. In May of 2010 he lost the love of his life when Equella passed away. They had been married almost 53 years. He always told people that they were “one heart beating in two bodies.” He touched thousands of lives during his ministry, and he will be greatly missed, but he lives on in the hearts of those that knew and loved him.
Survived by daughters Mary (Larry) Moore, Paula (Bruce) Johnson, grandchildren Lizz (Adam), Lace, Dane, Johnathan, great grandson Theodore, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Visitation Friday (8/17/18) 5-7 PM at Roeder Mortuary 2727 N 108t Street Omaha, NE. Memorial Service Saturday (8/18/18) 11:00 AM at First Christian Church 6630 Dodge Street Omaha, NE. Memorials to the family to be determined later.
Roeder Mortuary, Inc. – 108th Street Chapel
2727 N 108th St – Omaha, NE –
