Earl Oldham

Earl Hannen Oldham, 86, of The Colony, Texas, formerly of Burfordville, passed away Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, at Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas, and is now resting in the arms of our Lord.

He was born Sept. 14, 1920, on a farm between Millersville and Burfordville, son of the late Roy Hannen and Maude Myrtle Young Oldham. He and Elizabeth Kinder were married May 18, 1946, celebrating their 60th anniversary earlier this year.

Earl served our country during World War II with the 7th Air Force in the South Pacific.

Earl was a former member of First Baptist Church in Burfordville where he served as a choir director 45 years and was also a deacon.

He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University. He served on the R-2 School Board of Jackson 12 years, was president three years, and then was on the Cape County School Board eight years, and president for three years.

He was appointed by the governor to serve on the Library Advisory Committee to the State Board of Higher Education. He served on the State Library Legislative Committee, State Law Revision Committee, and was a former member of the district library board, serving 24 counties in Southeast Missouri, where he also served as vice president.

Earl was a member of Cape County Mental Health Board, where he served as president two years. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Jackson 18 years, and was a current member of the Rotary Club of The Colony. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Texas. He received recognition by the Missouri House of Representatives, House Resolution Number 43, to honor the many years of dedicated service to his profession, community and education.

He retired in 1985 as director of Riverside Regional Library.

He and Elizabeth moved to The Colony in 1990 where he continued his life of services and witness.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of The Colony at the time of his death.

Survivors include his loving wife; a daughter, Vicki (husband Ron) Fluegge of The Colony; two granddaughters, Traci (husband David) Denny of Dallas, Texas, and Jennifer Fluegge of Lewisville, Texas.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Oldham.

Graveside service will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Burfordville Baptist Church.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.