David Oxford passed away Saturday May 3 at Bedford County Nursing Home with family and friends by his side. Visitation with the family will be held 4-8 PM Monday, May 4, at Feldhaus Memorial Funeral Chapel in Shelbyville. Funeral services and a celebration of his life are scheduled for Tuesday at 11:00am at Feldhaus with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Ginny, and daughter, Sherry, both of whom preceded him to Heaven.
David was born in Sheffield, AL to the late Pearl and J.J. Oxford, Sr. As a boy growing up in the depression years, his family moved around the country, wherever there was work to be found. He later served in World War II and throughout the years, stayed in contact with his military buddies. Settling in "God's country", Tennessee, he was active in Young Democrats in Cleveland, TN and retail sales. After starting a family, he found his true passion in life Tennessee Walking Horses. David would go on to become a horse trainer, blacksmith, and master farrier. His handmade shoes graced many World Champions and he shod horses for some of the top trainers in the walking horse industry.
According to his daughters, "Daddy dedicated his life to providing for his family, doing what he loved best. There wasn't a lot of money but much love in our home and great life experiences growing up in the horse business."
"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." In that regard, our Daddy was one of the wealthiest men on earth. David and Ginny raised four successful daughters -four of his greatest achievements he always said. When health problems forced him in to a wheelchair, his keen mind and talented hands created horse-themed crafts. Many of his clocks are on display in homes and businesses throughout middle Tennessee.
The family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to friends who supported David in so many ways with a visit, a phone call or taking him to doctor's appointments. Special thanks also to nurses and management at Bedford County Nursing Home, especially Sherre Ralston, Janet Farrar and Wayne Schumann.
Survivors include his granddaughter, Jennifer Potts, devoted friend, Nancy Harmon, of Shelbyville, daughters Janice Overall (the late Curtis), Cleveland, TN, Mitzi Oxford Walton (Bobby), Columbus, GA, and Angela Oxford Hasbrouck (David), Memphis, TN, grandsons David & Joey Overall, Robert Walton, granddaughter Amanda Nix (Josh) and great granddaughter Kyleigh Nix and last, but not least, his spirited Jack Russell terrier, Max.