Lynn Arnold Whitaker

Lynn Arnold Whitaker passed away April 25, 2007, at his home in Moses Lake. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 28th at 10 a.m. in Pioneer Memorial Gardens.

Lynn was bom in Bear River, Utah on Dec.25, 1924, to Ersael and Carrie Cleopha (Nelson) Whitaker. He attended elementary school at Bear River and Box Elder High School in Brigham City, Utah. Lynn was active in F.F.A. and high school sports and he played baseball and volleyball for his church teams.

Lynn started farming at an early age, going to work on his uncle's farm. On Aug. 27, 1943, he married Fem Bradford in Brigham City, Utah where they made their home. Lynn enlisted in the navy and served from 1944 to 1946. After his discharge Lynn returned to farming as a foreman for Davis Ranch in Brigham City. In 1952 he and his family moved to Moses Lake and purchased a farm in Block 42. Lynn was engaged in farming and ranching all of his life.

Lynn was named the Outstanding Young Farmer of Grant County in 1959 and went on to be named 2nd place Outstanding Young Farmer in Washington State the same year. He was awarded a trip to Disneyland for his family after being chosen as Outstanding Soil Conservation Farmer also in 1959. In 1977, Lynn and his sons were named Grant County Conservation Farmers of the year.

Lynn was a member of the Columbia Basin Rodeo Association since 1955 serving on several committees and serving as president in 1970. He was chosen as the Moses lake Round-Up's "Man of the Year" in 1996. He was a member of the LDS Church (6th Ward), The Cattlemen's Association, The American Legion, The Washington State Crop Improvement Association, and a charter member of the Elks. Lynn enjoyed sports, rodeo, raising racehorses and team roping with his sons. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Fern; two sons Dee (Kay) Whitaker and Bart (Penny) Whitaker; one daughter Linda (Lee) Eslick of Maricopa, Ariz. 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Lynn was preceded in death by his son, Roger, his grandson, Bret; his parents; his brothers Lloyd, Blaine, and Artell; and his sister, Katherine. In lieu of flowers, donantions in Lynn's name are suggested to the American Cancer Society.