Individual Details
Carlton Fields Whitaker
(7 Jun 1919 - 8 Mar 2011)
CARLTON "NIG" FIELDS WHITAKER, passed away peacefully on March 8 ,2011 with his daughter at his side.
Carlton was born on June 7, 1919 in Grapeland, Texas to Malcolm and Molly Fulton Whitaker. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Jack Owen and Laverne Humbert. He graduated from Grapeland High School 1936 as Salutatorian of his class. Carlton attended Sam Houston State Teachers College and later graduated with a degree in Business Administration from South Texas College of Commerce. He moved to Houston in 1940 where he began his 42 year career with Gulf Oil Corporation, retiring in 1982 as a systems analyst. During his time at Gulf, he was instrumental in computerizing their production data processing dealing with financial systems, product movement and inventory systems, programs dealing with the conversion crude oil applications to EDP. Carlton also started the computerization of all production applications related to crude oil production conversion and inventory. He was one of Gulf's first programmers in the downtown Houston office. Over the years, this particular office became one of Gulf's largest computer and systems operations. The initial complement of people numbered in the tens and grew to over a thousand at the time of his retirement. Carlton was a major contributor in that growth, particularly in that he had both an excellent knowledge of several major areas of Gulf's operations, but also the technical aptitude to translate that knowledge to computer programming. Since he was one of the first group leaders, he also was able to help teach others in utilizing this new technology. Amazingly, even though he was one of the "old school", he loved the challenge of the constantly changing computer environment and had no trouble with all the upgrades and adjustments. He was a real pioneer. IBM considered him one of the "Top 10" programmers in the country. On numerous occasions, Carlton was "loaned out" to other oil companies to assist them with their computerizations. As one quoted, "Nig was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge relative to the project in hand". His contribution was outstanding and by his cooperation and personality, he acquired the friendship and respect of all staff that he came in contact with.
From 1941 to 1945, he proudly served his country, state side (because of his computer knowledge) in the U.S. Army while remaining an employee at Gulf.
Shortly after moving to Houston, he met Geraldine Schalz. After two months of "courting", he proposed on the beach in Galveston, and she accepted. They were married on June 6, 1941 and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary just prior to her death in July of 2006. It was truly a wonderful marriage of extreme love and respect. Although my Dad was not a dancer, he and Mother enjoyed endless hours listening to the big band era music of the 40s. He was an avid Gin card player and was rarely on the losing end.
Carlton is survived by his only daughter, Sharron Muncy Martin, who loved him more than life, and her husband, Mitch Martin. During the last 4 ½ years Sharron and Mitch spent many quality hours and days with him, taking him to his favorite restaurants and on short car trips. He was the most wonderful father a girl could want. Carlton was hard working and worked many extra hours and days at his job, however, he never failed to be there for family. He was home for dinner every night and we always sat down together as a family. Carlton was an avid supporter of Sharron in her many years of dancing and told many people how proud he was of her. In his declining years, he and Sharron spent an inordinate amount of time together - always telling her how he couldn't do without her and Mitch and called her his "sweetness". There was never a stronger bond between father and daughter - it was the ultimate relationship. Carlton was very much into his family's history (they came to Texas in the 1830s) and even in the last months of his life, he could tell you who he went to high school with and where every store and shop in Grapeland was located. It was only his short-term memory that failed him.
Surviving family include his brother Malcolm Whitaker and wife Doris, nieces Doris Tyler and husband Bob, Joyce Owen, Frances Hicks and husband John and Jean Hill; great nieces Kristen and Tracey Tyler and great-great nephew Jack Waller. He is also survived by grand-children, Dr. Dee Kurth and husband Dr. Donald Kurth, Kelly Fox and husband John, Kim Hillegass and husband Larry, Gene Muncy and wife Melissa, and Trammel Martin; great-grand children, Daisy and Addie Kurth, Rachel Fox and fiance Aaron Wempe, Courtney Hoosier and Charlotte Hillegass, Kayla and Kaycie Muncy.
Pallbearers will be Bill Washburn, Jim Guillot, Trammel Martin, Jim Gehrardt, Buford Foster and Gene Muncy. Honorary pallbearers are Thomas Norman Whitaker, Sam Bounds, Dick McEuen, Carter Hood, Ernest Papavasiliou, Milton Dobsky, Howard Sacks, Peter Bock, Richard Jackson, Bill Boulden, Joe Lester, T.O. Thomas, W. C. Reed, Dewey Grove and all his "ole" friends from Gulf Oil Corp. and Westbrae Court.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 12, from 10 am-11 am, with funeral services at 11 am in The Chapel at Forest Park Westheimer. The Reverend Dr. John K. Graham of St. Martin's Episcopal Church will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030; www.houstonhospice.org. or a charity of your choice.choice.
Family links:
Parents:
Malcolm Wallace Whitaker (1887 - 1958)
Mollie Fulton Whitaker (1893 - 1933)
Spouse:
Fay Geraldine Schalz Whitaker (1920 - 2006)
Carlton was born on June 7, 1919 in Grapeland, Texas to Malcolm and Molly Fulton Whitaker. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Jack Owen and Laverne Humbert. He graduated from Grapeland High School 1936 as Salutatorian of his class. Carlton attended Sam Houston State Teachers College and later graduated with a degree in Business Administration from South Texas College of Commerce. He moved to Houston in 1940 where he began his 42 year career with Gulf Oil Corporation, retiring in 1982 as a systems analyst. During his time at Gulf, he was instrumental in computerizing their production data processing dealing with financial systems, product movement and inventory systems, programs dealing with the conversion crude oil applications to EDP. Carlton also started the computerization of all production applications related to crude oil production conversion and inventory. He was one of Gulf's first programmers in the downtown Houston office. Over the years, this particular office became one of Gulf's largest computer and systems operations. The initial complement of people numbered in the tens and grew to over a thousand at the time of his retirement. Carlton was a major contributor in that growth, particularly in that he had both an excellent knowledge of several major areas of Gulf's operations, but also the technical aptitude to translate that knowledge to computer programming. Since he was one of the first group leaders, he also was able to help teach others in utilizing this new technology. Amazingly, even though he was one of the "old school", he loved the challenge of the constantly changing computer environment and had no trouble with all the upgrades and adjustments. He was a real pioneer. IBM considered him one of the "Top 10" programmers in the country. On numerous occasions, Carlton was "loaned out" to other oil companies to assist them with their computerizations. As one quoted, "Nig was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge relative to the project in hand". His contribution was outstanding and by his cooperation and personality, he acquired the friendship and respect of all staff that he came in contact with.
From 1941 to 1945, he proudly served his country, state side (because of his computer knowledge) in the U.S. Army while remaining an employee at Gulf.
Shortly after moving to Houston, he met Geraldine Schalz. After two months of "courting", he proposed on the beach in Galveston, and she accepted. They were married on June 6, 1941 and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary just prior to her death in July of 2006. It was truly a wonderful marriage of extreme love and respect. Although my Dad was not a dancer, he and Mother enjoyed endless hours listening to the big band era music of the 40s. He was an avid Gin card player and was rarely on the losing end.
Carlton is survived by his only daughter, Sharron Muncy Martin, who loved him more than life, and her husband, Mitch Martin. During the last 4 ½ years Sharron and Mitch spent many quality hours and days with him, taking him to his favorite restaurants and on short car trips. He was the most wonderful father a girl could want. Carlton was hard working and worked many extra hours and days at his job, however, he never failed to be there for family. He was home for dinner every night and we always sat down together as a family. Carlton was an avid supporter of Sharron in her many years of dancing and told many people how proud he was of her. In his declining years, he and Sharron spent an inordinate amount of time together - always telling her how he couldn't do without her and Mitch and called her his "sweetness". There was never a stronger bond between father and daughter - it was the ultimate relationship. Carlton was very much into his family's history (they came to Texas in the 1830s) and even in the last months of his life, he could tell you who he went to high school with and where every store and shop in Grapeland was located. It was only his short-term memory that failed him.
Surviving family include his brother Malcolm Whitaker and wife Doris, nieces Doris Tyler and husband Bob, Joyce Owen, Frances Hicks and husband John and Jean Hill; great nieces Kristen and Tracey Tyler and great-great nephew Jack Waller. He is also survived by grand-children, Dr. Dee Kurth and husband Dr. Donald Kurth, Kelly Fox and husband John, Kim Hillegass and husband Larry, Gene Muncy and wife Melissa, and Trammel Martin; great-grand children, Daisy and Addie Kurth, Rachel Fox and fiance Aaron Wempe, Courtney Hoosier and Charlotte Hillegass, Kayla and Kaycie Muncy.
Pallbearers will be Bill Washburn, Jim Guillot, Trammel Martin, Jim Gehrardt, Buford Foster and Gene Muncy. Honorary pallbearers are Thomas Norman Whitaker, Sam Bounds, Dick McEuen, Carter Hood, Ernest Papavasiliou, Milton Dobsky, Howard Sacks, Peter Bock, Richard Jackson, Bill Boulden, Joe Lester, T.O. Thomas, W. C. Reed, Dewey Grove and all his "ole" friends from Gulf Oil Corp. and Westbrae Court.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 12, from 10 am-11 am, with funeral services at 11 am in The Chapel at Forest Park Westheimer. The Reverend Dr. John K. Graham of St. Martin's Episcopal Church will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030; www.houstonhospice.org. or a charity of your choice.choice.
Family links:
Parents:
Malcolm Wallace Whitaker (1887 - 1958)
Mollie Fulton Whitaker (1893 - 1933)
Spouse:
Fay Geraldine Schalz Whitaker (1920 - 2006)
Events
| Birth | 7 Jun 1919 | Grapeland, Houston County, Texas | |||
| Graduation | 1936 | Grapeland High School, Houston County, Texas | |||
| Marriage | 6 Jun 1941 | Fay Geraldine Schalz | |||
| Death | 8 Mar 2011 | Houston, Harris County, Texas | |||
| Burial | Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas |  |  |
Families
| Spouse | Fay Geraldine Schalz (1920 - 2006) |
| Child | Living |
| Father | Malcolm Wallace Whitaker (1887 - 1958) |
| Mother | Mollie Fulton (1893 - 1933) |
| Sibling | Jack Doris Whitaker (1914 - 1997) |
| Sibling | Ella LaVerne Whitaker (1915 - 1997) |
| Sibling | Living |
Notes
Burial
Plot: Section 409Endnotes
1. Find A Grave Memorial# 83057457.