Donald Arthur Fordham

Donald Arthur Fordham, age 74, died Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015 at Crestwood Care Center in Shelby after a short illness.

Don was born March 7, 1941 in Chester, Pennsylvania to the late Randall A. & Julia (Hammat) Fordham. He was a member of the former Auburn Baptist Church in Tiro. He was a 1959 graduate of Alexandria High School in Alexandria, Ohio and attended and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1963 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. Don was in the ROTC at OSU and enlisted in the US Navy after graduation. He served on the ES Forrestal while it was it was in the Mediterranean during the Vietnam War.

Don lived in Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, Georgia, Texas and back to Ohio for the second time. He worked for Conoco Oil as a Customer Service Representative while living in Atlanta, Georgia, and Dallas, Texas. When he retired in 1997, he decided to move back to Ohio to be near his family. He enjoyed doing many things with his father after he moved to Shelby. Together they enjoyed many concerts in the park, and going to open house events in the area.

He found a need to keep busy, and wanted to get acquainted in Shelby. He became interested in the Shelby Help Line, and worked on the Christmas Drive for many years. He really enjoyed giving back to the community through this ministry. Within this he became involved with FISH of Shelby, and served as their treasurer. He was also on the board at Park Village for several years.

in 1999 he became involved with AARP doing Income Taxes. He was the local coordinator for Shelby, Marion and Mt. Gilead. He was their district coordinator for 5 Counties. He made many friends doing their taxes. Some would come in looking for Don to do their taxes. He was well respected statewide in the AARP Tax Aide program. He also was a Driver Safety Coordinator for AARP and held many training classes for this.

Survivors include one sister, Janice (Dale) Auck of Bucyrus; nephew, Ken Auck (Fiance, Vanessa Shutler); Niece, Jodi (Matt) Miller; five great nephews, Justin (Samantha) Auck, Kody Auck, Kameron Auck, Connor Miller and Spencer Miller.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

 Funeral service will be held at 11:00AM Thursday October 8, 2015 at the Barkdull Funeral Home in Shelby. Rev. Lester Champer will officiate with internment held in Oakland Cemetery, Tiro. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4-7 PM and also one hour prior to the funeral service.

Memorial expressions may be made to the Shelby Help Line.

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