Darrel Lee Whitman was called to his heavenly home on July 11, 2024.
Darrel was born December 26, 1949, in Springfield Missouri to Homer Emerson and Helen Virginia Whitman.
Darrel was a 1967 graduate of Willard High School after which he attended excavation trade school in Homestead Florida. Upon completion he returned to Springfield to pursue a career in construction. Joe Richter Excavating and Jolley Excavating helped him get his start in the industry.
Darrel married Patricia Lea Stinson on May 6, 1972. In 1977 they started Whitman Excavating which after welcoming 3 sons, evolved into Whitman & Sons Incorporated. They grew Whitman & Sons into one of the largest commercial site preparation companies in Southwest Missouri before selling to Smith and Kennedy Contractors in 1987. In 1988 Darrel built and operated Convenience Plus Store which is still in operation today. In the 90’s Darrel returned to the construction industry working for Kennedy Contractors, Killian Contractors, and Emory Sapp and Sons. After many failed attempts he finally fully retired in March of 2019.
When Darrel wasn’t at his winter home in Sarasota Florida, he loved spending time and visiting with and helping neighbors in Rice Camp at Table Rock Lake.

Darrel was a proud Mason and Shriner and a member of Gate of the Temple Masonic lodge number 422 and Abou Ben Adhem Shrine.
Darrel loved to socialize, host, entertain, and cook for everyone. Above all else Darrel loved spending time with his family. Especially his Grandkids. He often said if he’d known grandkids would be this fun he would’ve had them first.

Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Virginia, brothers Dwain, Terry, George, Bill, Robert, and Richard. Nephews Doug Whitman and Phillip Miller.
Darrel is survived by his wife Patricia, son Daren (Amanda), Scott (Jill), and Jon (Mandy) Grandchildren, Mitchell, Broderick, Kally, Virginia, Benjamin and Raleigh. Brother Rick (Linda) Sisters, Wilma Miller, Barbara Maggard (Bill) Linda Miller, Debbie Williams (Rick) brothers-in-law Bob and Doug and numerous nieces and nephews as well as many great nieces and nephews.
Services with Masonic rites will be at 2:00 pm Saturday July 20, 2024 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 pm Saturday July 20, 2024 prior to the service.