Justin Whitefield, Two Others Die In Arkansas Crash

UPDATED ~ Justin Whitefield, Oklahoma City attorney and State Capitol lobbyist, died with two others in Arkansas last night when his newly-purchased airplane crashed. Also killed in the crash was Republican activist and fundrasier Jenny Parton.

Whitefield, 34, and Parton, 37, were returning from the Breeder’s Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, when the plane crashed near Danville, Arkansas, about 11 p.m, authorities there said.

Whitefield, a student pilot, was executive director of the Oklahoma Youth Expo and was a partner with Bob Funk in the purchase of horses.

The plane had been refueled in Little Rock before departing for Oklahoma City. The pilot, 26-year-old Brandon Hughes of Ada, also died in the crash. He reportedly was at the controls when he radioed he was experiencing engine trouble. The plane crashed two miles short of the Danville Airport runway and burst into flames.

Whitefield and a partner reportedly purchased the airplane from an Ada businessman last week.

A remembrance of Parton's life will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Western Club, Northwest 52nd and Western. Her funeral will be held at 4 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi, 1901 Northwest 18th.

KWTV reported Monday night that Parton had emailed a friend that while she was excited about making the trip, she was scared. "Pray for me" was her final line.

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