George Edward Gafford

George was born January 5, 1936 to Rev. Cleveland Gafford and Georgia Williams Gafford. He grew up in several areas of north Louisiana – Ruston, Farmerville, Grambling, and Pleasant Hill. George spent his high school years in Idabel, Oklahoma where he was a member of the Booker T. Washington Wildcats football team. That team won the 1953 Oklahoma State football championship which was something George loved to share with anyone who ever brought up the subject of football.

In 1955, George joined the US Navy. While in the Navy, he served on the USS ARNEB during its crossing of the Antarctic Circle and its naval missions at the South Pole. George often talked about his travels in the Navy and the countries he visited during his service.

While on military leave in 1957, George met Joann White. After leaving the Navy, he and Joann were married January 24, 1958. George and Joann moved to Ruston, La. in 1960. It was there that they would raise their two children and share 57 years of marriage before Joann’s death in March, 2015.

George worked for South Central Bell / AT&T as an 18-wheeler truck driver and delivery man. He retired from AT&T in 1991. After his retirement, George worked several part time jobs and started a car cleaning and detail business. He worked as long as his health allowed.

After the death of his wife, George moved to Fort Worth, Texas to be near his immediate family. In Fort Worth, he regularly attended the Como Senior Citizen center where he took pride in leading hymns and prayer at their weekly church service in addition to playing his favorite game, dominoes. George frequently visited Ruston, La. and attended St. Mary Baptist Church during his visits. He and Joann joined St. Mary in the mid-sixties. George loved St. Mary and was a deacon there for more than 35 years. He remained a faithful church member and Christian believer until his death. One of his favorite sayings was “God has been good to me.”.

In addition to his wife, George was preceded in death by a sister, Cleathel Leichman. He leaves to mourn: daughter, Shelia Gafford Harris (Ron) of Fort Worth, TX; son, Gerald Gafford, Sr. (Ginger) of Dallas, TX; grandchildren, Sherritta Harris, Ronald Harris, Jr., Breena Harris, Gerald Jay Gafford, Jr. and Gabrielle Gafford; sisters Inez Samuels and Connie Dancer of Dallas; brothers, Cleveland Gafford Jr. of Dallas and Cleophis Gafford of Oklahoma City; godchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

There will be a family visitation on Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 1pm to 4pm at Laurel Land Funeral Home. The family also invites guests to pay their respects on Saturday between the hours of 9am and 5pm.