Arlis C.B. Whitlock

Arlis C.B. Whitlock, a true “rough and ready cowboy” full of fun-filled escapades with many of his lifelong friendships, died on September 11, 2016, in Fort Smith, AR. Born in Canyon, Texas on June 15, 1928, he moved with his family at a young age to Flint Creek, OK. There he acquired the multiple skills of farming and cowboying; plowing the fields by day with his half-mustang, Snip, and bucking her out of rodeo chutes by night. He often jumped Snip off the Flint Creek Bridge for a quick cool down. C. B. chose most days to ride his horse to school at Little Kansas, OK, where his favorite subjects were algebra and basketball. It was while riding “Ole Snip” in downtown Siloam Springs that he met his soul mate, Reva Alyene Porter. On July 4, 1947, Reva boarded the Siloam train to Yuma, AZ, where she and C.B. were married. While working with his dad setting up gasoline refinery plants in AZ, they began a life filled with adventure, love and horses. Their two children, Cheri and Tony were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from their dad during his 88 years, among them: always wear a double pocketed western shirt to keep all your valuables in, never be caught without your Stetson on, coffee at the Stateline Café with the “gang” is the best start to the day, and always carry a pistol in your pickup just for good measure. His parents, Columbus Brownlo Whitlock and Rosa Ella Kendrix preceded him in death, as well as, his wife of 64 years, Reva, who died in 2011. Now they are riding high up in the heavens on trails that have no end. C.B. is survived by his daughter, Cheryl “Cheri” Edwards and her husband Butch; a son Tony Whitlock of Houston, TX, and wife Sharon. He was a much–loved “Peepaw” to six treasured grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. C.B.’s generous life was spent in service to others. He was a member of the Benton County Mounted Patrol, manager of the Siloam Springs Riding Club’s “Golden Promenaders” Quadrille, lifelong member of the Siloam Springs Riding Club, 32nd Degree Master Mason and 50-year lifetime member of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, member of First Christian Church, and founding member of the Cowboy Regional Rodeo Association. C.B. had a varied professional life in Siloam Springs, AR, owning Whitlock Tire Shop, Whitlock Deep Rock gas station, Siloam Springs City Engineer rebuilding most of Siloam after the Sager Creek flood of 1974, Manager of Farmers Co-op, and was director of building several resort developments: Megan Cove in Grove, OK, Rock Wall, TX, and Red River Ranch in Thackerville, Oklahoma, and Flint Ridge in Kansas, OK. Pallbearers are: Butch Edwards, Dax Edwards, Alan Jones, Joe Williams, Ronnie McGhee, Chase Whitlock, Lee Reed, Alan Jones, Forrest Corcoran. Honorary pallbearers, Walter Gray, Doug Williams, Gerrell Smith. C.B. will lie in state at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, AR, with visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 16, 2016. Funeral service will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Church with Pastor Joel Rutherford officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Family visitation will be at 10:00 to 11:00 preceding the funeral at the First Christian Church in Siloam Springs, AR. Memorials may be made to Methodist Nursing Home ”Golden Years Church Ministry” 1915 South 74th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903, Siloam Springs First Christian Church, 1405 West Jefferson, Siloam Springs, AR, 72761

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Arlis C.B. Whitlock

June 15, 1928 - September 11, 2016