GREAT BEND — Albert Allen Whipkey, 77, passed away September 10, 2023, at Locust Grove Village, LaCrosse, Kansas. He was born on October 2, 1945, in Fairfax, Oklahoma. He was adopted a few days later by Albert A. and Beatrice S. Whipkey of Fairfax, Oklahoma and later Hoisington, Kansas. Allen graduated from Hoisington High School in 1963 and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Central State in Oklahoma in 1967 and a Masters of Science in 1972.

Allen married Diedre Scott in June of 1966 in Oklahoma, they later divorced. He later married Connie Hoss in Great Bend, Kansas, in October of 1998. She survives.

Allen served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970. Allen then taught high school science classes, but mostly Biology, Chemistry and A&P in different schools in Oklahoma, including Shawnee, Oklahoma and later at Great Bend High School for 18 years. Allen also taught outreach classes at Barton County Community College for a number of years. He was known as “Whip” to the students and loved the camaraderie he had with them. It was said that he made biology fun and easier to understand and the students always looked forward to hearing his hilarious childhood stories.

During his years in Oklahoma and later Kansas, he raised and showed Appaloosa horses. Next to his love of horses was his love of a brand new red corvette convertible purchased in the year 2000. This car was once used to drive the Grand Marshall in a Hoisington Labor Day Parade, as well as driven to several proms.

Allen was the owner of Cheyenne Trailer Sales for many years. He was an avid sports fan of all sports which included his grandchildren’s many games and he could be found in the bleachers at these games.

Survivors include, two daughters, Deana (John) Custer of The Colony, Texas and Kimberly (Steven) Bohanon of Frisco, Texas; one son, Robert Whipkey of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one step daughter, Rebecca (Eric) Anderson of Otis, Kansas; one step son, Russell (Heidi Rogers) Hoss of Overland Park, Kansas; ten grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and four step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Steven Whipkey.

Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Reverend Adam Wutka presiding. Interment will be in the Hoisington Cemetery, Hoisington, Kansas. Memorials have been designated to Alzheimer’s Association or Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue and Retirement, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 12, 2023