David Eugene Ledford, born Dec. 12, 1931, left this earthly home and joined his loved ones in heaven on Nov. 12, 2020. He was better known to the world as Gene Ledford. He was born near Mead, Oklahoma, and was the only child of Jimmy and Lula Ledford.
The early years of his life were spent in a small community called Blue Ribbon, which no longer exists as it was flooded when Lake Texoma became a lake. At that time, the family moved to Brown, Okla., where they farmed corn, peanuts, and cotton. Gene remained in the area, graduating from Cobb High School.
While still a teenager, he met the love of his life, Mary Lou (Barnett) at the local skating rink. They married on August 4, 1950 in Durant, and recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. Gene was drafted into the United States Army not long after their marriage. Mary Lou followed him to El Paso, where he achieved the rank of Sargent. After his service in the Army and an honorable discharge, Gene and Mary Lou returned to Durant, where they remained until his death.
Gene was an employee of Rustin Concrete in various capacities for approximately 30 years. He was an ordained minister of The Nazarene Church. He served as Pastor of the Fillmore Church of the Nazarene for 50 years (1967 to 2017).
Gene and Mary Lou have two children, Tami Tuel (Jerry) of Stockton, Calif. and David N. Ledford of Durant, Okla. They were blessed with seven grandchildren: Jared (Leslie) Stanglin, Matthew (Christina) Stanglin, Natalie (Patrick) McKeegan, Bret (Danielle) Ledford, Justin (Crystal) Ledford, Brandon (Janna) Ledford, and Amanda Ledford. He will be missed by all, including his niece and nephews, numerous great grandchildren, as well as many lifelong friends.
In addition to being a Pastor, Gene was known for his passion for collecting anything with wheels, including tractors, farm implements, and antique vehicles. Gene loved flying. and obtained his pilot license many years ago. He was a member of the VFW, and gladly served as a Chaplain for the Bryan County Sheriff Department.
Gene was bigger than life, with a sense of humor, a compassionate heart, and a strength that won’t be forgotten. He loved his God, was proud of his family, proud of his country, proud to have served as a Veteran, and was a respected member of his community.
Family hour will be from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma. A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 at the Holmes~Coffey~Murray Chapel. His final resting place will be the Highland Cemetery in Durant, Okla.
Services are under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla. www.holmescoffeymurray.com
