Ernest "Wiegie" George Whalen Jr.

Ernest George Whalen Jr. (also known as Wiegie), age 75, of Amarillo, died on Monday, January 28, 2025. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Washington Avenue Christian Church, 3800 S Washington St., with Pastor Shane Wyly officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Friday, February 7, 2025, at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, Texas.

Ernest George Whalen Jr. (Wiegie) was born in Umbarger to the late Ernest George Whalen and Evelyn Louise (Tucker) Whalen. At the age of seven, his family moved to Canyon, where he attended school. When old enough, he worked with his dad for Good Housekeeping Furniture Co., delivering and repairing furniture and appliances.

Ernest graduated in 1968 from Canyon High and joined the Marine Corps that same year. He completed basic training in 1969 at San Diego, California, and was assigned to MCAS (air station), Yuma, and Arizona that same year. He married Janet Kay Susan, and they lived in Yuma for the next three years. During that time, Ernest completed military ordnance and missile training at Jacksonville, Florida. He excelled in long-range rifle and pistol shooting and was on the Corps' rifle & pistol team. If not for personal issues, Ernest was on the path to be on the team shooting in the Olympics.

In 1970, Ernest's first daughter, Jodie Lynn, was born. The following two years, he and Janet divorced.

In 1972, Sergeant (E-5) Ernest was honorably discharged after serving in Yuma as an aviation ordnance and missile technician. He then re-enlisted with the Corps and was transferred to Dallas, where in 1973 Ernest met and married Dee Sharon (Lloyd) Bake. They lived off base in Grand Prairie until Ernest was transferred that same year to Camp Hague, Okinawa, where he served during the final phase of the Vietnam War and had a top security clearance. He earned Staff Sergeant (E-6), and after a year in Okinawa, he was transferred back to MCAS, Yuma, Ariz. He received staff training at El Toro, California. Two years later, Ernest's second daughter, Brandi Michelle, was born. He was honorably discharged in 1978.

After discharge, Ernest moved his family to Sulphur Springs, where he was employed by Warren Petroleum Co. as a blaster. In 1979 he was hired by the city of Sulphur Springs to be a police officer. Later that year he moved his family again to live in Amarillo. Ernest was employed by Jay Lee Milligan as a blaster. He had difficulty adjusting to civilian life; he had many trucking jobs, driving long-haul loads beginning with hauling livestock for Schooler and making helium deliveries in all mainland states, plus frequent trips into Mexico and Canada, while employed by Jack B. Kelly.

In 1985, Ernest and Sharon divorced. He continued living in Amarillo and continued to drive for various trucking companies, making long-haul deliveries. In 1987 Amarillo Hardware hired Ernest to make regular deliveries to hardware companies in New Mexico and Colorado. In 1991, Ernest married Diana Lynn Carver while they vacationed in Yuma, Arizona. After six years with Amarillo Hardware, the U.S. Postal Service employed Ernest as a part-time regular clerk. He started full-time employment with the Postal Service a year later as a letter carrier in the San Jacinto area of Amarillo.

In 1997, Ernest joined the Texas National Guard. However, after three years, he developed knee issues, and he made the decision to leave the Guard. Therefore, in 2000, he was honorably discharged from the Guard. Ernest continued delivering mail in the San Jacinto/6th Street area before he retired from a riding route in 2014.

During his retirement, Ernest enjoyed boating and fishing at Lake Tahoma. Hunting, golfing, off-roading, shooting, and sightseeing. He and Diana spent time regularly in Amarillo and in Yuma, Arizona, on a golf course.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Johnny Ellis, and wife, Sharon.

Ernest is survived by his wife, Diana Lynn (Carver) Whalen, of Amarillo; two daughters, Jodie Houck and husband Chad of Granbury and Brandi Kincaid and husband Bryan of Chico; three sisters, Sally Eileen Bell, Kathleen Kelly Whalen, and Lila Lou Hamby and husband Buddy, all of Amarillo; two nieces, Karon Hamby and Sherry Bowers and husband Darryl; two nephews, Jason Bell and wife Nicole and Beau Bell, all of Amarillo; two grandchildren, Kody Patterson of Amarillo and Mariah Stahla and husband Ben of Forney; great-grandsons, Eli Patterson and Benjamin Stahla; great-nieces, MiKayla, Mikenna, Shavaneaux, Kaylee, and Kriston; three great-nephews, Beaux, Bryan, and Jonathan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to High Plains Children's Home at PO Box 7848, Amarillo, TX 79114.