Keith Dwaine McWhorter

Keith Dwaine McWhorter, lovingly known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Poppy, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2023. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Friday at Church of Christ Panhandle. Burial will be in Panhandle Cemetery under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle.

Keith was born November 19, 1936, to John Harris and Evelyn Tucker McWhorter in Plaska, Texas. Keith proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years, enlisting in December 1955. During his years in the U.S. Navy he advanced through the ranks to Senior Chief Fire Control Technician. His naval career was highlighted by many important assignments ashore and at sea, being stationed at the Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA; Guided Missile School, Dam Neck, Virginia Beach, VA; Naval School Command, Mare Island, Vallejo, CA; and Naval Ship Weapons Systems Engineering Station, Port Hueneme, Oxnard, CA. He served on many fine ships such as USS Preston, USS Cowell, USS Leahy, USS Worden, USS William H. Standley and USS Horne. Keith received the Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (fourth award), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retiring from the U.S. Navy in September 1977; Keith began a second career of 22 years with the Federal Aviation Administration, in Childress, Texas; and in Amarillo, Texas.

Keith married the love of his life, Barbara Henson McWhorter, May 12, 1962, at Bath, Maine. Keith and Barbara shared 55 years together and 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Barbara preceded Keith in death in 2017. During the last years, Keith was blessed to have a great friendship with Teresa Hale. They spent many hours laughing and keeping one another company and feeling young.

Keith is survived by his 3 children, Mahryhia Mills of Panhandle, Texas, Tina and Dennis Williams of Mansfield, Texas, and Dunnigan and Regina McWhorter of Wheeler, Texas. “Precious” Poppy left behind his loving grandchildren, Kalee Massey, Terrell and Jennifer Williams, Erin Mills, Trevor Williams and Abby White, Dakota McWhorter and Dylan McWhorter; and great-grandchildren, Kaegan, Karsyn and Kolton Massey and Emeline and Louise Williams