Grady E. Oxford

Lieutenant Colonel Grady Eugene Oxford Sr. Ret., 77, went peacefully with the Lord on Friday Dec. 12, 2008 at La Posada Mesilla Valley Hospice. He was born in Poulan, Georgia on Dec. 3, 1931. He spent his early years growing up in the good ole southland of Georgia. He graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and then from Georgia Military College .He met and married Janet Faye Morrison, daughter of Hunter and Otis Morrison, and proceeded to have four children over the next eight years. He entered the Army as an officer in 1955. He was an excellent pilot who flew numerous aircraft during his career including multiple fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. He was a member of the Otter-Caribou Association. We best remember him flying the huge Chinook CH-47 double engine helicopters. He flew in both Korea and Viet Nam and received numerous decorations, medals, badges, and commendations. His last assignment brought him to White Sands Missile Range where he soon met Carol Boyd, daughter of Al and Kathryn Noble. He retired in 1975 and married Carol in 1976 and the family acquired another great addition in Kevin Boyd, her son. We believe that Dad waited for their anniversary as they had 33 wonderful years together to the day. Grady (also known as Gene to friends and family down south) had many hobbies and pastimes during his lifetime. He loved singing Barber Shop Music with his military buddies and was in many competitions as a member of the Fountain City Four in Columbus, Georgia. He truly loved hooking up with his brothers Bill and Thad through the years. He was an avid golfer most of his life, and loved cooking boiled peanuts. If you knew him, you knew he loved his collections, especially music. Probably his biggest passion was traveling to that little town in the desert with his wife Carol, and enjoying the many things Las Vegas had to offer. He loved the slot machines and a good Martini. He was preceded in death by his parents William D. and Thelma Oxford, his brothers Bill and Thad Oxford, his first wife Janet Faye Morrison Oxford, and his step son Kevin Boyd. He is survived by his loving wife Carol, her sister Marilyn Bicksler, his sister in law Linda Oxford, his children Grady E. Oxford, Jr. and wife Marcy, Kathy Oxford Jackson and Michele Ponce, Jennifer Stewart and Gary Bassford, Michael Oxford and Erin Colvin, Jeannie Oxford, and seven grandchildren Wes, Thad, and Clay Jackson, Stephanie Stewart, Ryan, Jordan, and Jeffrey Oxford. There will be a viewing at Getz funeral home on Monday Dec. 15, 2008 from 5:00-7:00pm. The funeral service will then be Tuesday Dec. 16, 2008 at 10:00am, also at Getz. He will be buried at Ft. Bliss Cemetery at 2:00pm. A special thanks to the staff at Mesilla Valley Hospice, La Posada for their wonderful care during his last couple of weeks. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Mesilla Valley Hospice in his name. PDF Printable Version