Nelson Warford

Nelson Warford, 83, of Adair, went to meet his loved ones in Heaven, after fighting a good fight- being strong until the end. He died at his home in Adair, surrounded by his loving family, Sunday, June 1, 2014. He was born on March 25, 1931 in Claremore, Oklahoma, as the first male child being born in the new Claremore Indian Hospital. He was the oldest son of Soloman Dozier and Emma (Backward) Warford. Nelson grew up in the Pryor and Adair area, later he married Oreta Sharp on July 19, 1952 in Huntsville, Arkansas. They would have been married 62 years. Nelson served 2 years of active duty in Army as an Officer's Driver, and an ambulance driver while he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was given an Honorable Discharge and was separated from the Army on September 15, 1954 with the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. He received a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal upon his separation from the Army. He also served 8 years of Reserve Service. He enjoyed spending time with family and close friends and always had a story to tell. His favorite thing to do was working on cars. He loved working on cars so much that he made a living doing so. He had a reputation as being the best mechanic around. He enjoyed making sure his kids drove the coolest cars of anyone around. He will be missed greatly by his constant companion, his dog "Pete", they were quite the pair. Nelson will be remembered by all the wonderful memories he leaves behind and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2014 in the Adair United Methodist Church with Reverend Dylan Ward Officiating. Interment will be in the Adair Cemetery with Mike Warford, David Warford, Carrie Graves, Dianna Osborn, and Thresa McGuire serving as casket bearers. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Bill Clinton, Lloyd Layton, Arlis Anderson. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 4, 2014 in the Shipman Funeral Home Chapel. To leave his family a message, please visit his Book of Memories at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service. Nelson is survived by his wife, Oreta (Sharp) Warford of the home; two sons, Micheal Warford and Lynn of Boatman, Oklahoma and David "Bo" Warford and Steph of Adair, Oklahoma; three daughters, Theresa and husband Kenny McGuire of Eufaula, Oklahoma, Dianna and husband Mike Osborn of Sapulpa, Oklahoma and Carrie and husband Jim Graves of Adair, Oklahoma; special niece, Debbie Cooper of Montana; three sisters, Ellen Moga, Marsha and husband Ray Gilpin, and Mary and husband Jim Esterline all of Adair, Oklahoma; two brothers, Carl Warford of Erie, Kansas and David Warford of Vinita, Oklahoma; 11 grandchildren, Kendra and Steve Zmek, Kenny and Brandy McGuire, Jr., Rachel Osborn, Angela and Thomas Reynolds, Toby and Megan Graves, Jerrerd and Terra Graves, Kylee and Phillip Lopez, Shyla and Mike Stanton, Sasha Warford and Brian Littlefield; 19 great grandchildren, which he adored dearly. He had so many nieces, nephews, and many good friends that will miss him and always be known as "Uncle Shorty," "Uncle Nels," and Big Daddy Rabbit to those nieces and nephews. Nelson is preceded in death by his parents, Soloman Dozier and Emma (backward) Warford; one daughter, Sherrie (Warford) Smith; 2 grandchildren, Seth Warford and Julia Osborn; five brothers, Robert, Raymond, John, Lincoln, and Hayden; one infant sister, Emma Lou Warford.

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