Samuel Joseph Gafford's Obituary
Samuel Joseph Gafford was born on December 22, 1934, to Clarence and Mary Lorene Gafford in Indian Mound, Tennessee. Joe attended school in the area and excelled in both basketball and baseball in high school. He was no stranger to hard work. Joe decided to join the military after high school because he thought it would be easier than working the tobacco farm where he grew up with his two sisters. Joe joined the Air Force on June 8, 1954, despite being exempt from serving. His brother, JC, had been killed in air transport crash while serving in the Air Force. Joe worked as a radio operator and repairman while stationed in Korea. After his service, Joe attended college at Austin Peay University in Tennessee. He majored in chemistry. During his free time, he worked at a hamburger restaurant, splitting shifts with his best friend from Indian Mound, Bruce Atkins.After college, Joe accepted a job from the Boy Scouts since he was recommended for the position by Bruce. There, Joe met a sweet, pretty, petite secretary by the name of Edna Burchfield. Joe and Edna were married on August 18, 1961. They had one daughter, Beverly Ann. Eventually Joe accepted a position at Ford Glass Plant in Nashville, Tennessee, and later transferred to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to be the supervisor of quality control for the new plant opening there in 1973. The family became members of First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow. In his leisure time, Joe enjoyed golf, horse racing, fishing, and dove, duck, and pheasant hunting while working in Broken Arrow.Joe retired from Ford in 1990. Joe and Edna moved to 20 acres in Sperry, Oklahoma, to be near their daughter, son-in-law, and soon to be 5 grandchildren. Joe enjoyed caring for the property, horses, and dogs, and planting a garden. He helped his son-in-law Charlie with odd jobs and repairs including building Charlie and Beverly’s house in Skiatook. He also took great joy in fixing up old Mustangs to give to his grandchildren when they turned 16. Joe and Edna enjoyed frequent trips to Branson, Missouri, traveling to the northwestern United States, and visiting family back in Tennessee. They loved sitting by their pond enjoying each other’s company.Samuel Joseph Gafford was an outstanding son, brother, husband, and father. Beverly remembers games of chase, stopping for Icees after nursery school, ordering an Easter dress from the Sears catalog, and trips to the pool to learn to swim. Joe was an expert in treading water, a skill he passed on to Beverly. She remembers steak dinners on Saturday night, help with Chemistry homework, and the words “that’s real good” as the height of praise.Joe was an exceptional employee and supervisor. He provided for the needs of his family by painstakingly budgeting, saving, and investing money. He provided both a bachelor’s and master’s degree for his daughter and started college funds for his grandchildren.Joe took great pride in the accomplishments of his grandchildren. They were straight “A” students, Masonic Students of Today, Students of the Month and Year, Commended Scholars, Drum Majors, National Honor Society Members and Officers, POM Captains, and FFA Award Winners.Joe modelled the principles of hard work, responsibility, and diligence that are exemplified in his family. He emphasized the value of education, maintaining high standards, and doing your best. These are the values and principles we take with us to invest in the lives of our children and grandchildren. We honor Samuel Joseph Gafford for the example he has set for us.
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