On August 2, 2016, Gail Whitworth, 82, passed into eternity while staying in Lincoln, MT surrounded by family who loved him deeply. Heaven welcomed their newest baseball coach that day.
Gail was born in San Diego, CA on February 21, 1934 to a loving family that quickly taught him a love of America’s Pastime, baseball. He graduated from Hoover High School in 1952, being named All-San Diego in baseball twice. He then signed with the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball organization, with stops in Yakima, WA and Johnson City, TN, before leaving the game he loved to serve in the United States Army. On February 9, 1958 he married the love of his life, Florence Mederios, and they remained loving soul mates for 58 years until the time of his death.
His love for his family, particularly his grandchildren, is what inspired him late in life. From his “famous fries” to the time he spent at their activities, you would always see him with his trademark smile.
His love for the game of baseball never left him. Early in their marriage, he helped out part time with youth leagues in Hamilton, MT. In 1981 he began a 20 year run as the Head Coach for the Dillon Cubs American Legion Baseball Program in Dillon, MT. He absolutely loved coaching young men, many of whom he helped to secure college baseball scholarships. He guided the Cubs to the 1991 Montana Class A State Championship and was named Coach of the Year. After retiring as coach of the Cubs, he began traveling the United States to see family and Major League teams play. All toll, he visited 15 different Major League Baseball stadiums.
Gail also loved fishing. He visited Montana as a child and was “hooked” by Big Sky Country. Over the years he became a legend in the fishing circles of Southwestern Montana. His family loved eating the fish he caught and the way Florence prepared it.
Gail was preceded in by his father Gerald Whitworth, his mother Meretta Whitworth, and his two brothers, Robert Whitworth and Jerry Whitworth, and a grandson, Michael Whitworth. He survived by his wife Florence, sons Greg Whitworth (Gg) of Huntington Beach, CA and Kevin Whitworth (Mona) of Hazel Green, AL, and three daughters, Cindy Anderson (Dwayne) of Great Falls, MT, Clarene Evenson (Jim) of Lincoln, MT, and Leigh-Ann Whitworth (Tom) of Butte, MT, grandkids Whitney Whitworth, Pearl Moro, Bob Anderson, Blake Anderson (Marion), Brad Anderson (Katie), Austin Anderson (Jenny), Rachel Evenson, JT Whitworth, Nicole Fritsch, Ben Fritsch (Jessica), Marcus Whitworth, Danielle Babb (Max), Mederios Babb, Johna Gallus, Anne Gallus, and Savannah Russell, and great grandchildren Nolan Anderson, Dexter Anderson, and Jolie Fritsch.
Cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time. A celebration of Gail’s life will take place early next summer at a location to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the American Cancer Society in the name of Gail Whitworth, in honor of his mother Meretta
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Patrick Hartwig says
As a kid growing up I enjoyed hunting and fishing with Gail and Greg. My condolences on your loss. He will always be remembered and missed.
JP Phillips says
Gail was someone who made going to baseball practice fun. My most fond memories of high school were playing baseball my junior and senior year with the Cubs, and Gail made us all feel like major leaguers. I wish I would have spent more time with him after my playing days were over. RIP Phil.
Jason Phillips (JP)