The racing communities in the Oklahoma area are mourning the untimely loss of a cherished racer and devoted father, Michael Whitson. His unexpected passing has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew him. Michael succumbed to internal bleeding on Friday, September 22, 2023, at the tender age of 33, as confirmed by his family.
According to his family, Michael had a promising life ahead of him, but it was tragically cut short. On that fateful day, law enforcement agencies and EMS were summoned to the scene, and he was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Despite hours of intensive efforts, complications arose, and Michael was pronounced dead.
A family member shared the heartbreaking details of the incident on a GoFundMe page, explaining, “He had already lost a significant amount of blood internally due to an unknown injury. The surgeons worked tirelessly to repair the damage, but his liver was unable to produce the necessary clotting factors to stop the bleeding on its own.”
The medical team at the hospital went above and beyond, working for more than 30 hours and administering numerous pints of blood in a desperate attempt to stabilize Michael and control the bleeding. Tragically, Michael’s body couldn’t withstand the severity of the situation, and he had to be bid a final farewell at 5:31 PM.
Doctors suspect that Michael’s liver failure may have resulted from a hereditary autoimmune disease. In light of this, the family intends to conduct an autopsy to closely examine his liver and body for markers that may shed light on the specific cause. This information could not only bring closure to the family but also help prevent a similar fate for Michael’s 4-year-old son, Graycen.
Quinten Lewis shared a picture of ECG of Michael’s last breath with the caption:
Michael Whitson’s last heartbeat. 5:31pm will forever be the time I don’t want to see on a clock. My entire feed is flooded with pictures and stories of your life. It makes me so happy that we had 29 years of memories before life printed out a timeslip of your final pass. I look forward to the day we meet again, Mike. I love you❤️ tell your grandma happy birthday and we will see her soon, too.
Michael’s final wishes were poignant, reflecting his deep love for both his son and the world of racing. He wished for his friends to release his ashes while making passes in their racecars, as his life revolved around these two passions.
The family deeply appreciates any financial support extended, which will go directly toward shouldering the significant expenses they now face. These include the autopsy, memorial service arrangements, and providing for Michael’s beloved son, Graycen. The racing community and beyond join in mourning Michael Whitson’s tragic and untimely loss, remembering him as a beloved figure who left an indelible mark on their hearts.
