Jimmy "Blue Dog" Franklin Whitewater

Jimmy Franklin Whitewater was born on October 26th, 1963, in Muskogee, OK, the son of Robert and Evelyn (Hendricks) Whitewater. He lived in and around Cherokee County his whole life. It was clear to see from day one that Jimmy, or Blue Dog to his many friends was a man that knew his own mind and knew just how to speak it! You never had to wonder what ole Blue Dog was thinking because he was always happy to tell you.

Jimmy had many talents and was a hard worker. He could do anything from laying carpet, doing construction, running heavy equipment, to being a delivery driver. He was also a fire dancer for Cherokee Nation for many years traveling all over the United States. He worked as a Sanitation Technician for the Cherokee Nation at the Wilma Mankiller Clinic. He was proud of his heritage and loved helping people in any way he could.

When the days work was done, Jimmy was ready to go do a little fishing or deer hunting. From the time he was a young man, he enjoyed breaking horses and riding them. He loved a good horse. He was quite the gardener, well known for his abundance of vegetables that he liked sharing. He also had a talent for growing other green plants on occasion. Jimmy loved to cook, always making his family members cakes for their birthday. He also did a good job brewing a little homemade wine. He liked to raise livestock, especially chickens. He was fascinated with motorcycles and loved to tinker and tweak on them in the shop. This was always in the company of one of his canine companions, Bruiser being his favorite. He had an ornery streak and loved a good joke, playing them on all his family and friends. Jimmy was the proud father of two sons and three daughters, Allen, Brandi, Nick, Lindsay and Ashley. He loved time spent with them and attending their activities. He was always ready to take his best girl, Becky, out to the river or backroading. As the grandchildren began to join the family, he spent as much time with them as possible, watching them play sports, and other school activities. He was the “Dad” that the kids could depend on to listen to their troubles, give advice, and just be there for them when they needed him. His health began to fail, and Jimmy in true Jimmy fashion fought until he just couldn’t fight any longer. He passed from this life on November 15, 2021 in Tulsa, OK, with his family by his side. He was 58 years young. He will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Henry and Jewel (Cowles) Hendricks and Redbird and Molly Whitewater, sister, Hope Whitewater, and Father, Robert Whitewater in 2008.

His memory will be cherished by his loving mother, Evelyn Hendricks of Tahlequah, OK, his companion, Becky Pitts of the home in Tahlequah, OK, and his sister, Debbie Green and husband Gary of Stilwell, OK, brother, Bobby Whitewater and wife Lisa of Peggs, OK, and sister, Bobbie Shirrel of Welling, OK. He leaves behind his children, Allen Samples and wife Tiffany of Tahlequah, Brandi Philpott of Woodall, Nick Daugherty of Tahlequah, Lindsay Johnson and husband Micah of Gore, OK, and Ashley Daugherty of Tahlequah. He lives on in his 19 grandchildren, Kayla Gower, Austin Samples, Tayler Samples, Tanner Samples, Jessica Daugherty, Megan Philpott, Addison Philpott, Rachelle Philpott, Jazmine Daugherty, Jordan Daugherty, Jaydan Daugherty, Nicky Daugherty Jr, Chloe Daugherty, Antonio (Tony) Daugherty, Parker Daugherty, Treydan Daugherty, River Johnson, Layla Johnson, and Brooklynn Johnson. His great grandchildren include Kennedy Gower and TJ Gower. He also leaves his nieces and nephews, Jody Vick, Justin Green, Jewlee Whitewater, Holly Vick, Hannah Vick, Mikayla Spears, and Logan Green and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Jimmy Franklin “Blue Dog” Whitewater will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 2:00 Pm at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Donna Allen officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 beginning at 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest at Hendricks Cemetery in Tahlequah with his family that he loved so much. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Pallbearers for Blue Dog include Nick Daugherty, Allen Samples, Dewayne Hendricks, Robert Sevier, Justin Hale, and Ronnie Holleman. His honorary pallbearers include Ray Langston, Rufus Hendricks, Roy Sparks Jr., Justin Green, and Terry Hendricks.