Leo Whitlow, Trojan Heat Treat
Even though Leo Whitlow, founder of commercial heat treater Trojan Heat Treat in Joplin, MO, USA retired from the industry some time ago we at “The Monty Heat Treat News” have fond memories of Leo as a very colorful individual. His son David continues on in in his footsteps.“Leo Whitlow was born in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma on November 4, 1931 to Granville and Olena (Davis) Whitlow. He was married to Glenna Faye Morgan on August 9, 1953. They met at the skating rink in April 1953, married in August 1953 and have been together ever since. He passed away peacefully at home on November 17, 2024 at the age of 93.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, November 20, between 5:30-7:00 P.M. at Whitt Funeral Home. Services are planned for Thursday, November 21, at 2:00 P.M. in the Whitt Funeral Home Chapel with his loving family officiating. Interment will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery, Comanche. Serving as pallbearers are Adam Marks, Alex Marks, Heath Whitlow, Kayden Whitlow, David Whitlow, and Tabrina Whitlow-Alexander; honorary pallbearers are Richard Marks, Kayson Whitlow, and Andy Alexander.
Leo served 20 years in the United States Air Force and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. For the Air Force, he worked in aircraft maintenance and mechanics and was always on flight status as flight engineer and navigator when flying all over the world. He took his family all over the United States being stationed on both coasts and many states in between as well as overseas in the Philippines. He loved being in the Air Force and was proud to serve his country. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he moved his family to Duncan Oklahoma to be close to other family members living there. He worked as a car salesman for Carl Campbell Chevrolet, and then worked for Halliburton. He then worked for Chisholm Machine Shop and ended up partnering in that business. He became interested in metallurgy and opened Trojan Heat Treat. He moved Trojan Heat Treat to Joplin Missouri during the oil field downturn in the 1980s. Leo’s son David joined him in the business in Joplin. Also, during this time Leo and Glenna opened the North 40 Café in Corum Oklahoma near Waurika Lake. Leo visited with the diners and kept things working while Glenna cooked. She made the best burger around and they named it the Hobo Burger in honor of the squadron Leo was in while in Vietnam. David and Donna and their spouses and kids were involved with the North 40 Café and they had a wonderful 10-year run. They sold the North 40 Café in 1990. During that same time, Leo and Glenna travelled back and forth from Duncan to Corum to Joplin which is why their theme song was on “On the road again!” Leo retired from Trojan Heat Treat in 2009.
Leo was very adventurous and was willing to try just about anything once. He skydived when he was 68. He was fun loving, kindhearted and generous, always willing to lend a hand in any situation and to anyone in need.
He was always figuring out ways to make things work better. He loved country music and he loved to dance. He enjoyed tinkering with cars and taught his grandsons a lot about cars and engines. His most favorite pastime was boating and water skiing and he taught his children and his grandchildren how to ski as well. He would teach anyone to ski if they asked and in fact did just that for lots of people who showed up at the lake. He kept skiing until he was 75 years old.
He will be sorely missed by his wife of 71 years, Glenna; his son David Whitlow (wife Pam) of Joplin MO; and his daughter Donna Marks (husband Richard) of Duncan OK. His grandchildren, Tabrina Alexander (husband Andy) of Norman OK, Heath Whitlow of Duncan OK, Adam Marks (wife Jana) of Duncan OK, and Alex Marks (wife Natalie) of Edmond OK have many memories with their Grand Dad as do his great grandchildren, Kayson and Kayden Whitlow, Annistyn Alexander, Maelyn, Emmelyn and Zella Marks, and Ruby and Reagan Marks. He will live on in our hearts.
Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.”