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Obituary Of Ted O'Bannon

November 4, 2017

Ted O'Bannon

Dec 12, 2015 (0)

Ted O'Bannon, 66, of Safford, passed away, surrounded by his loving family, Nov. 7, 2015, in Tucson. He was born in Safford on July 20, 1949, to Clyde and Dora Mae Little O’Bannon. Four older children welcomed him home: Louis, Betty, Willie and Lee.

He spent his early years living on the FX Ranch, between Cedar Springs and Glenbar. Four other children were also added to the family, Steve, Peggy, Pat and Linda Sue.

He attended schools in Pima, Las Vegas and Bishop, Calif. While attending school, he played football, and his love of this game and other sports was later passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Ted entered the United States Army on Dec. 15, 1967, during the Vietnam Conflict and, after completing basic training, he was assigned to Germany as a wireman. He received the National Defense Service Medal and was a sharp-shooter with the M-14. He received an honorable discharge as an SP4 on Nov. 26, 1969. Ted returned to the Gila Valley to see his Dad, and met his wife of 45 years, Sharon Marble.

Ted held many jobs in the Gila Valley during his lifetime, and made many lifelong friends at each place of employment: Safford Phelps Dodge (Dos Pobres and Los Pobres mines north of the Gila River), Graham County JTPA Young Adult supervisor at the fairgrounds when the duck pond and ball fields were put in. He enjoyed ranching and farming, working on the Diamond Bar Ranch in Geronimo and east of Safford, and at the FX Farm/Ranch in Solomon, farming with Zenos Howard and Sons in Graham, and Nathan and Rick Motes in Fort Thomas.

He enjoyed taking his children, grandchildren and friends fishing, hunting and camping. Many memories were made taking his family and friends on road trips and sightseeing along the way. Playing cards and dominoes with family and friends, and watching his children, grandchildren and their friends as they participated in sporting events was a special time together. Home was a place where family, friends, neighbors and strangers were welcome.

Ted was preceded in death by: his parents, Clyde and Dora O’Bannon; his siblings, Louis and Willie; and granddaughter, K’Lynne.

Papa, as he was known to his grandchildren and their friends, will be missed and is loved by all.

He is survived by: his wife, Sharon; son, Ted (Stacy); daughters, Arlene (Lynn) Malloque, Janene (James) Horner and Stephanie (Louis) Schumaker; siblings, Lee, Betty Bahm, Steve, Peggy King, Pat (Terri) and Linda Sue (Larry) Fought; grandchildren, Daryn and Derek Malloque, Paizlee Schumaker and Rebecca Johnson; and many brothers-in law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held at the Hubbard Cemetery on Nov. 11, 2015.

Arrangements were under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Crematory.

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