Marion Albert Ashford

Marion grew up working on a farm feeding and taking care of cows, horses, and chickens. He also worked as a lumberjack and ranch hand. Marion came to Oklahoma in 1951 and worked at Tinker as a mechanic. He was drafted into the Korean War and then returned to Tinker after his enlistment ended. He worked a total of 34 years at Tinker. Marion met Jean at her cousins’ fruit stand. They were married on July 14, 1952. They have been married 63 years and kept their promise “til death do us part”. When Marion worked at Tinker, he met Robert George. Robert and Roy Jackson studied the bible with Marion and he was baptized in 1965. Marion enjoyed teaching bible classes, going to church camp, and being involved with youth activities. His children remember going with him to show Jule Miller films to friends and relatives. Marion’s hobby was raccoon hunting and he would go whenever he could. He taught his sons to skin and dry raccoon hides whether they liked it or not.  Not!

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lorene “Rena” McNeely and Virgie “Susie” Reed. Survivors include his wife Wilmetta “Jean” (Clow) Ashford; children, Dewayne Ashford (Brenda), Leon Ashford (Kim), and Carolyn (Rick) Allen; grandchildren Aaron, Chad (Courtney), and Ryan Ashford, Kayla (Joey) Dubord, and Kelly (Clint) Mongan; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret (David) Hasel; and brother, Gilbert (Betty) Ashford.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday March 15, 2016 at the Bill Eisenhour Southeast Chapel with interment to follow at Sunny Lane Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, Del City, Oklahoma.