Life story

"Harold Lawrence Oldham was born October 2, 1924, to Gale George Oldham and Carrie Blanche Garling Oldham in their home in Hancock County, Ohio.

Harold was the 7th of 10 siblings.
He was preceded in death by his 9 siblings, George Edvin Oldham, Lola Blanche Oldham Butler, Esther Mae Oldham, Ruth Bernadin Oldham Merrill, Miriam Marie Oldham Mellish, Helen Leota Oldham Greer, Thelma Lucille Oldham Burton, Nina Jeanette Oldham Hodge & Grace Ellen Oldham Green.

Harold served in the United States Navy from May 17, 1943 to April 4, 1946. When inducted into the US Navy in 1943 his rank was AS Apprentice Seaman, he advanced to S2/c Seaman 2nd Class, onward to S1/c Seaman 1st Class, forward to HA/c Hospitalman Apprentice and then to PHM3/c Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class prior to his honorable discharge in 1946 at the end of his service.

Upon departure from the US Navy he returned to Ohio, went back to school at Mt Vernon Academy.
After graduation he went to work as a carpenter and handyman. This was a life venture that turned into a great career as he was an excellent framer, trim carpenter along with so many other skills.

On June 12, 1949 he married Wilma Esther Schoonard to whom he was still married 75 years later when he passed away.

Harold is survived in death by his wife, Wilma Esther Schoonard Oldham, their 4 children: Lonnie J. Oldham (Langley, WA), Annetta G. Oldham (Williams) Wolf Creek, OR), Wayne L. Oldham (Montrose, CO) and Loren E. Oldham (Phoenix, AZ), 6 grandchildren: Nathan A. Williams, Brent A. Williams, Loren E Oldham II, Ryan N. Oldham, Kiev C. Oldham, Kadin J. J. Oldham and 11 great grandchildren: Maria, Colin, Esther, Argyle, Celeste, Callie, Cyd, Cameron, Zachary, Jaxsen, Kinsley.

Harold, his parents and siblings learned of the Seventh-day Adventist message in 1935 and in 1936, Harold, along with many of his siblings were baptized.

Harold and Esther were active and involved members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Mt. Vernon Ohio.

In 1982, they moved to Montrose Colorado where they could live near 3 of their 4 children.

Harold continued in his carpentry skills as an employee of Keystone Construction until the date of its closure after the death of his oldest son Lonnie's wife, Terrill Joan Milliken Oldham.

In the following years, prior to his retirement, Harold continued working as a carpenter, cabinet maker and handyman.

Harold decided to fully retire in 2016, at the age of 92.

Over the years of raising their 4
children, Harold and Esther enjoyed traveling across our great nation visiting family, National Parks and enjoying the beauty that the Lord placed in our land. In later years they traveled to the Holy Lands with their daughter Annetta, her husband Ken and other church friends.

While their son Wayne, his wife Lois and their 2 children were working in Fiji, they traveled to Fiji to visit and enjoy time with them.

Harold and Esther were active members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Montrose , Colorado and attended weekly until 2017-2018 when the onset of health issues for Esther made it harder for her to attend regularly.

Harold continued to attend church regularly until he had multiple falls in 2023 when the family chose to place them in Heidi's Chateau assisted living care facility in Montrose Colorado.

Harold and Esther continued to get daily visits/check-ins from their son Wayne and his wife Lois.

The family is forever grateful for the daily/weekly loving watch care of Harold and Esther by Wayne and Lois over the years as the other siblings had moved to various parts of the country.

Memorial Services will be scheduled at a future date."