James Harold Gaddy

JAMES HAROLD GADDY


Services for James Harold Gaddy will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at the Dougherty Baptist Church with his son-in-law, Pastor Jim Burgess officiating.

James went peacefully to be with the Lord on June 29th, 2013 after a long and very courageous battle with cancer. He was born December 29th, 1931 at University Hospital in Oklahoma City and was preceded in death by his mother, Jacqueline Dee Brown, adoptive parents, Newton Joseph Gaddy and Nettie Mae Gaddy, his wife of 30 years, Shirley A. Gaddy, brothers Jan R. Brown and Robert D. Brown; sisters Ted and Irene, and step-children, Judy Smith Pruitt, Michael Smith, and Vicki Smith.

James is survived by his sister, Betty Crownover; three daughters, Alanda Burgess & husband Jim, Amanda Johnson & husband Buster, Waukita Swales & husband Joe; and one son, Terry Kim Gaddy & wife Becky. He is also survived by his step-son David Smith, and step-daughter Becky Smith. He was blessed with 13 grandchildren - Matthew, Levi, Gabriel, Jonathan, and Benjamin Johnson; Caleb Burgess, Amanda Burgess McInturff, Lydia Burgess Dantzler, Katya Burgess; Brad, Bryan, and Bryce Gaddy; and Michael Ray; along with 13 great-grandchildren, and additional step-grandchildren.

James grew up during the depression in Dougherty, OK, and was raised by his parents Newt and Nettie Gaddy, learning early in life to make do with very little. He graduated from Dougherty High School in 1949, attended East Central University, and continued on to the “School of Hard Knocks University” where he learned how to survive and thrive with a positive attitude no matter what the circumstances.

He was married to Tahwannah Hendricks in Fort Worth, TX in 1950 while beginning a long career there with the Santa Fe Railroad. Very soon he moved his young family back to Dougherty and in 1961 bought a home in Davis, OK where he lived for the remainder of his life. He married Shirley Smith in 1969.

He had a long career with the Santa Fe Railroad working as an Agent and Telegraph Operator at the Dougherty, Davis and Ardmore Depots until his retirement at the age of 55. In addition to the railroad, he was involved in several other ventures, most notably as a restaurateur, owning Pick’s Tamales. He was an outdoorsman, a masterful list maker, had a passion for golf, flying, motorcycle and auto racing, landscaping and gardening, and was an avid coin collector.

James always looked for the best in others. He was never at a loss for a story or jokes to tell and had several lifelong friends. He believed in initiative. His daily motto was “as long as you have your health, you have everything”. His personal faith in Jesus Christ was a consistent source of comfort and strength throughout his lifetime. If there is one message he would want to leave with everyone, it would be to “always give the other person the benefit of the doubt, and put yourself in their shoes”.

The family is grateful for the numerous friends and relatives, medical workers, Home Health Care and Hospice Volunteers who were by his side during his final days.

7/3/2013
11:00 AM

Memorial
Dougherty Baptist Church

Dougherty
OK