Homer Horrace DeFord, Sr., age 97, passed away at his home on May 13, 2019 in Dallas.
Homer was born on February 11, 1922 to Robert and Margaret DeFord in Gordon, Texas. He was diagnosed with infantile paralysis at the age of 2 that left him with lifelong disabilities. Through strength in character and determination he trained for sports such as Shot Putt, the Javelin and Discus Throwing. In high school, he started competing and ended up winning first place all three years. After graduation, he moved to Austin and attended Texas University with his brother. Homer received his draft notice in 1942 and left school to join the Army. During the physical examination, the military doctors discovered he had polio as a child and was not allowed to serve alongside his brothers in the defense of this great nation during WWII. After Homer was released from service, he moved to Dallas and met the love of his life, Dorothy Lawson. They married on January 20, 1943. Homer worked at several different lumber companies through the years until he started the family business, DeFord Lumber Company in 1964. Even through economic downturns over the decades, the business has remained successful and is still in operation today. In 2017, Homer achieved a lifelong dream of opening the Olden Year Musical Museum. What started as a personal collection over 40 years ago grew into a one of a kind museum that houses over 500 antique automated musical instruments from around the world. Homer did not make a decision that his life was going to be successful; he just persevered through all of his difficulties and tried to learn from them. He never wanted to be a follower, but a leader and therefore accomplish his own program. Homer was a good husband, father, grandfather, great and great-great grandfather, friend and above all, had a strong faith in the Lord. He will most certainly be missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Dorothy Jannice DeFord; son, Mickey; and great grandson, Taylor.
He is survived by his sons, Gary DeFord and wife, Judy, and Ronnie DeFord and wife, Sandra; daughter in-law, Patricia DeFord; grandchildren, Carrie Newman, Misty Sargent, Colin DeFord, Casey DeFord, Dori Rogers, Homer DeFord, Mikki Jene Smith,and Douglas DeFord; 18 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Interment will be at Little Bethel Memorial Park.
Homer was born on February 11, 1922 to Robert and Margaret DeFord in Gordon, Texas. He was diagnosed with infantile paralysis at the age of 2 that left him with lifelong disabilities. Through strength in character and determination he trained for sports such as Shot Putt, the Javelin and Discus Throwing. In high school, he started competing and ended up winning first place all three years. After graduation, he moved to Austin and attended Texas University with his brother. Homer received his draft notice in 1942 and left school to join the Army. During the physical examination, the military doctors discovered he had polio as a child and was not allowed to serve alongside his brothers in the defense of this great nation during WWII. After Homer was released from service, he moved to Dallas and met the love of his life, Dorothy Lawson. They married on January 20, 1943. Homer worked at several different lumber companies through the years until he started the family business, DeFord Lumber Company in 1964. Even through economic downturns over the decades, the business has remained successful and is still in operation today. In 2017, Homer achieved a lifelong dream of opening the Olden Year Musical Museum. What started as a personal collection over 40 years ago grew into a one of a kind museum that houses over 500 antique automated musical instruments from around the world. Homer did not make a decision that his life was going to be successful; he just persevered through all of his difficulties and tried to learn from them. He never wanted to be a follower, but a leader and therefore accomplish his own program. Homer was a good husband, father, grandfather, great and great-great grandfather, friend and above all, had a strong faith in the Lord. He will most certainly be missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Dorothy Jannice DeFord; son, Mickey; and great grandson, Taylor.
He is survived by his sons, Gary DeFord and wife, Judy, and Ronnie DeFord and wife, Sandra; daughter in-law, Patricia DeFord; grandchildren, Carrie Newman, Misty Sargent, Colin DeFord, Casey DeFord, Dori Rogers, Homer DeFord, Mikki Jene Smith,and Douglas DeFord; 18 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Interment will be at Little Bethel Memorial Park.
Homer Horrace DeFord, Sr., age 97, passed away at his home on May 13, 2019 in Dallas.
Homer was born on February 11, 1922 to Robert and Margaret DeFord in Gordon, Texas. He was diagnosed with infantile paralysis at the age of 2 that left him with lifelong disabilities. Through strength in character and determination he trained for sports such as Shot Putt, the Javelin and Discus Throwing. In high school, he started competing and ended up winning first place all three years. After graduation, he moved to Austin and attended Texas University with his brother. Homer received his draft notice in 1942 and left school to join the Army. During the physical examination, the military doctors discovered he had polio as a child and was not allowed to serve alongside his brothers in the defense of this great nation during WWII. After Homer was released from service, he moved to Dallas and met the love of his life, Dorothy Lawson. They married on January 20, 1943. Homer worked at several different lumber companies through the years until he started the family business, DeFord Lumber Company in 1964. Even through economic downturns over the decades, the business has remained successful and is still in operation today. In 2017, Homer achieved a lifelong dream of opening the Olden Year Musical Museum. What started as a personal collection over 40 years ago grew into a one of a kind museum that houses over 500 antique automated musical instruments from around the world. Homer did not make a decision that his life was going to be successful; he just persevered through all of his difficulties and tried to learn from them. He never wanted to be a follower, but a leader and therefore accomplish his own program. Homer was a good husband, father, grandfather, great and great-great grandfather, friend and above all, had a strong faith in the Lord. He will most certainly be missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Dorothy Jannice DeFord; son, Mickey; and great grandson, Taylor.
He is survived by his sons, Gary DeFord and wife, Judy, and Ronnie DeFord and wife, Sandra; daughter in-law, Patricia DeFord; grandchildren, Carrie Newman, Misty Sargent, Colin DeFord, Casey DeFord, Dori Rogers, Homer DeFord, Mikki Jene Smith,and Douglas DeFord; 18 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Interment will be at Little Bethel Memorial Park.
Homer was born on February 11, 1922 to Robert and Margaret DeFord in Gordon, Texas. He was diagnosed with infantile paralysis at the age of 2 that left him with lifelong disabilities. Through strength in character and determination he trained for sports such as Shot Putt, the Javelin and Discus Throwing. In high school, he started competing and ended up winning first place all three years. After graduation, he moved to Austin and attended Texas University with his brother. Homer received his draft notice in 1942 and left school to join the Army. During the physical examination, the military doctors discovered he had polio as a child and was not allowed to serve alongside his brothers in the defense of this great nation during WWII. After Homer was released from service, he moved to Dallas and met the love of his life, Dorothy Lawson. They married on January 20, 1943. Homer worked at several different lumber companies through the years until he started the family business, DeFord Lumber Company in 1964. Even through economic downturns over the decades, the business has remained successful and is still in operation today. In 2017, Homer achieved a lifelong dream of opening the Olden Year Musical Museum. What started as a personal collection over 40 years ago grew into a one of a kind museum that houses over 500 antique automated musical instruments from around the world. Homer did not make a decision that his life was going to be successful; he just persevered through all of his difficulties and tried to learn from them. He never wanted to be a follower, but a leader and therefore accomplish his own program. Homer was a good husband, father, grandfather, great and great-great grandfather, friend and above all, had a strong faith in the Lord. He will most certainly be missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Dorothy Jannice DeFord; son, Mickey; and great grandson, Taylor.
He is survived by his sons, Gary DeFord and wife, Judy, and Ronnie DeFord and wife, Sandra; daughter in-law, Patricia DeFord; grandchildren, Carrie Newman, Misty Sargent, Colin DeFord, Casey DeFord, Dori Rogers, Homer DeFord, Mikki Jene Smith,and Douglas DeFord; 18 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Interment will be at Little Bethel Memorial Park.
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