Oakie Gray Ford, 68, of Ironton, passed away on Thursday, the 26th day of March, 2009.
A lifelong Lawrence County resident, he was born the son of the late W. H. “Huck” Ford and the late Hester Gray Ford, and he is the step-son of Mrs. Virginia Ford, of Ironton. Oakie was the loving husband of 40 years to Mary Effie, wonderful father to Courtney Gray, and “Dad” to the “Love of his Life”, grandson, Colin Gray.
A lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ironton, he sang in the choir and served as an elder. Graduating from Ironton High School in 1958, he then went on to Ohio University at Athens, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi and earned a bachelor’s in business management.
Beginning his career at the family business, Ford Brothers Inc. of Coal Grove, as director of operations, he later served as vice president until 1975. After leaving Ford Brothers, he ventured into business with his brother, Roger Ford, and friend, Jackson Baldwin, owning CES, Kat Tank, and England Hill Storage in Catlettsburg, Ky. He was also active in other businesses and properties.
Being an active member in the tank truck industry throughout his life, Oakie was the National Tank Truck Carrier Director of Washington, D.C., past president of Ky-O-Va Traffic Club, and member of the Tri-State Alliance and the Ironton Port Authority. Oakie also served in the United States Army Reserves in Ashland, Ky., from 1962-1968.
An avid fan of the Ironton Tigers, he was excited for football season and the community has lost an active member, and he will missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, daughter, grandson, and step-mother, he is survived by a sister, Sharon Odekirk and her husband, Richard; a brother, Roger Ford and his wife, Val; a nephew, Mark (Cindy) Odekirk; nieces, Cindy (Larry) Anderson, Heidi (Joe) Freeman, Keeli (Jeff) Brown, and Marlee (Jamie) Richardson. He is also survived by a host of great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother and a nephew, Stephen Odekirk.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be 11 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Ironton, with the Rev. Jan Williams officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be 6-9 p.m. Sunday at the Tracy Brammer Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the First Presbyterian Church, Fifth and Railroad streets, Ironton, Ohio 45638 in his memory.