Ernest Elwood Ladd
Sep 22,1925 - Jun 8, 2015
Posted by: Ann Weber

 

Ernest Elwood Ladd, 88, of Norman, formerly of Blanchard, died Monday, June 8, 2015 at his home. The eighth child of nine, Elwood was born September 22, 1926 in Blanchard, Oklahoma to Walter David Ladd and Nettie Mahala (Beal) Ladd.

In 1943, Elwood left school and went to work for a shipyard in Oakland, California and then went to work for Douglas Aircraft in Oklahoma City. Elwood entered the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. He then returned to Dibble Schools and graduated with the class of 1947. Elwood met the love of his life, Donna Zell Jackson in 1946 and they were married in October 1947. He was employed by the Dibble School system as a bus mechanic during the 1947-48 school year and in August of 1949 he went to work for Tinker Air Force Base. In 1951, Elwood entered the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to Tinker Air Force Base. After his discharge, Elwood worked at Tinker as an aircraft mechanic until 1965. From 1965 to 1978, he taught auto mechanics at Dibble High School. In 1972, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Trade and Industrial Education from Oklahoma State University. In 1978, Elwood decided to open his own business, Ladd’s Brake and Alignment Service, located in Blanchard and was there until he retired in 2006 at the age of 80. In his spare time, Elwood enjoyed playing dominoes and made it to a few state domino tournaments. Elwood was a member of the Blanchard Lion’s Club for 21 years and served as President in 1982-1983. He was a former member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Blanchard where he served as a deacon. Later in life, he and his wife faithfully attended Skyline Church in Norman. In 2003, Donna was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and he took great care of her until her death in 2013.

Elwood was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Donna Zell (Jackson) Ladd; his eight siblings, Nina Johnson, Winifred Ladd, Johnny Claude Ladd, Oleta Rogers, George Ladd, Charlene McIntosh, Oneita Haley, and Laura Lynn Fisher.

He is survived by his two daughters, Kayla Gilbert of Norman and Karla Loader and husband, Brian, of Colorado; two sons, Allan Ladd and wife, Lynette, of Florida and Kevin Ladd and wife, Deborah, of Mustang; seven grandchildren, Derek Jones of Norman, William “Thom” Ladd and wife, Melissa, of Louisiana, Nanette Allen and husband, Joe, of California, Natalie Oakes and husband, Larry, of New York, Noelle McWilliams and husband, George, of New Jersey; Brooke Ladd of Colorado, and Trevor Ladd of Mustang; nine great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and many other loved ones and friends.

Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Eisenhour Funeral Home Chapel in Blanchard. Burial with military honors will follow in the Dibble Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.