CALVIN RAY ALDRIDGE

STRATFORD-Memorial services for Calvin Ray Aldridge, 79, Stratford, are 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Father Rusty Hewes will officiate.

Mr. Aldridge died Thursday, December 17, 2009 at an Oklahoma City hospital. He was born June 20, 1930 at San Juan, Texas to Hubert and Opal Skaggs Aldridge. He graduated from high school in California and also completed two years of law enforcement training.

He married Maria F. Sanjur on June 16, 1969 in Panama. Mr. Aldridge retired as a Sergeant with the U. S. Canal Zone Police Force in Panama. He served during the Cold War patrolling the Panama Canal. Later, he worked with the Stratford Police Department as the Commissioner for 14 years. Mr. Aldridge was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a past commander of the American Legion Chapter 191 in Stratford and a member of the McAlester Masonic Lodge. He served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include his wife, Maria Aldridge, of the home; five sons, Ray Michael Aldridge, San Diego, CA, Brian F. Aldridge and wife Jennifer, Pittsburg, PA, Mark K. Aldridge, Panama, Patrick Lee Aldridge and wife Charlene, Oklahoma City, and Mitchell Aldridge, Los Angeles, CA; one daughter, Raelene Marie Aldridge, Houston, TX; five grandchildren; one great granddaughter; one brother, Dale Aldridge and wife Ann, Lake Havasu, AZ; a sister, Irma Martin, Lake Havasu, AZ; and two half-sisters, Jerry Brooks and husband Joe, Tahoka, TX, and Ellen Lindsey, Davis, OK.

He was preceded in death by his father, Hubert Aldridge, his mother and step-father, Opal and Herman Abney, and one grandson.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada