Raford Lee Locker, Jr., age 97, originally of Meridian, TX, passed away Friday evening in his long-time home of Ponca City surrounded by his family.
Born in Meridian Texas September 18, 1929 to Raford Lee Locker Sr. and Minnie C. Locker, Raford grew up in a hard-working and close-knit family, where he was assigned the nickname Joe by his grandfather. Joe had quite a life and brought joy and steadiness to those that were fortunate enough to call him friend.
In 1951, Joe joined the US Army and served as an infantryman in the Korean conflict. Immediately after graduating boot camp, he was sent to the front lines of a heavy equipment division known as the Bayonet or “Hour Glass” division. Proving his mettle early in combat, Joe was sent by his command to advise local Korean forces on US military tactics.
Following an honorable discharge, Joe began his career in Ft Worth, TX at the Conoco Oil Company as an accountant. In 1953 he married Geraldine “Jean” Tucker and moved her to Ft Worth where their two daughters would be born. Joe continued his education by taking night classes at Texas Christian University. In 1965, after earning his bachelor’s in business, Conoco Oil company moved Joe and family to Ponca City. Joe spent the rest of his career at Conoco in Ponca City, retiring in his early 50s. He truly enjoyed serving the local community and did so through activities in his church as well as the VFW, Elks and Moose lodges. He also enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and tinkering in his workshop, especially with his grandchildren.
Joe was survived by his daughters, Brenda Rziha and Jan Gose; grandkids, Miranda Adkins, Sean Gose, Amanda Hobson, Danielle Gose; great-grandchildren Dalton, Emory and Addy; and great-great-grandchildren, Draper and Stetson. He was preceded in death by wife, Jean Locker, and granddaughter Whitney Wakefield.