Robert Earl Whitmire

Robert E. Whitmire
September 28, 1941 – July 4, 2021

Robert E. Whitmire, 79, of Hemphill, died Sunday, July 4, at Harbor Hospice House in Beaumont. A native of Vidor, he was a longtime resident of Toledo Bend before moving to Hemphill in 2015.

Robert was born September 29, 1942 to Earl Whitmire and Mary Nell Jones England in Evadale. He attended Camp Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Hemphill and was a retired Heavy Equipment Operator. That retirement didn’t last long, as his wife, Phyllis, tells it. She “put him back to work” as a shift leader training soldiers to go to Afghanistan. The duo would help set up villages mimicking those soldiers might see in Afghanistan. The couple of 45 years would teach soldiers how to distinguish the differences between enemies and peaceful citizens by acting out various scenarios.

That interest in military affairs started at an early age, as evidenced by him altering his birth certificate so he’d seem old enough to join the U.S. Navy in the late 1950s, according to Mrs. Whitmire.

Robert was an avid outdoorsman, who loved camping and the beach. He also enjoyed golfing and fishing on Lake Toledo Bend. “He’s done it all, drive motorcycles and racecars and he’s got some good friends, and that’s what’s important,” said Mrs. Whitmire. “He was a jack of all trades.”

Mrs. Whitmire said she may not be able to listen to George Jones anymore, as Robert would often sing his songs. “George Jones and Merle Haggard didn’t have anything on him,” she said of her golden-throated husband.

Anybody lucky enough to meet him knew he was a kind-hearted guy, the kind who would give the shirt off his back, and, according to his wife, actually has.

Robert is survived by his wife of 46 years, Phyllis Anders Whitmire of Hemphill; children Mark Whitmire (Thuy AI) of Houston, Kristi Whitmire Dodd (Don) of Beaumont, Darla Whitmire Hearn of Beaumont; step children Bruce Whitaker (Melissa) of Lufkin, Lisa Whitaker Martin (Charlie) of Bogata, Crystal Whitaker Lenz (Steve) of Mauriceville and Nicole Whitaker Chandler of Paris; brother Steven Coyle (Karen) of Houston, sister Lynne Coyle Lam (Joe) of Austin; as well as 22 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Whitmire and Mary Nell Jones England; his Son, Wade A. Whitmire; son-in-law, Jeff Chandler; grandson, Blake Whitaker; and brother, Scott Coyle.

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor, where a visitation will be held beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 10. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m.