J.D. Olford Jr.

Services for J.D. Olford Jr. of Lufkin will be held Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 12 noon in the Harmony Hill Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Davis Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday, from 6-8 p.m. in the Colonial Mortuary Chapel. J.D. Olford Jr. was born in Lufkin on November 10, 1951 to J.D. and Hazel Olford. He was raised by his grandmother, Mrs. Minnie Olford. J.D. attended Brandon Elementary School, Dunbar Jr. Sr. High School and was a graduate of Lufkin High School, Class of 1971. He later attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR. On June 21, 1975 he married Annie Thomas Olford and three children were born to this union; Jason, Shannon and Ashley Olford. Mr. Olford has been a member of The American Taekwondo Association since 1978. He was a sixth degree black belt – Master Instructor. He received the title of Master in 1998. He started the first ATA School in the State of Texas, which now hosts over 100 schools. He has held numerous titles, including Regional ATA Vice-President, Chief of Instructions and International Judge. He is the owner of Master Olford's ATA Black Belt Academy located in Lufkin. He was employed with Lufkin Industries for over ten years. Master Olford's passion for the youth of the Lufkin community compelled him to start a Taekwondo program at Brandon Park in 1980. He did everything possible to encourage them to "be the best they could be." The ATA and Mr. Olford's philosophy has been "Every Child Is A Winner." He was awarded the Mayoral Merit Award in 2010. The Angelina County Citizens Chamber of Commerce recognized Mr. Olford with the Eagle Award on May 10, 2013 for his service in the community. He was featured on the Memorial Hospital (CHI St. Lukes) "My Hospital for Life" billboard. He was also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Concerned Black Men of Lufkin, Inc. and was instrumental in developing the Graduate Chapter of Eta Kappa Kappa. Mr. Olford worked faithfully at New Zion Baptist Church where he served as Chairman of the Trustee Board and as a Deacon. He was Building Superintendent over the "Vision 98" project which later became the HOPE (Helping Other People Excel) Center of North Lufkin where he served as Chairman of the Board. He believed that if you put God first, everything else will fall in place. Master Olford attributed his success to "Blessings from God." Master Olford assisted Taekwondo students with their college goals by offering part time employment through his school. His school also supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, HU Lee Scholarship Program, Adopt-A-Highway and the Hope Center of North Lufkin. He has hosted numerous ATA tournaments which has brought thousands of students, parents and spectators to the city of Lufkin and has made a tremendous impact on the economy. Master Olford was most notably an upstanding husband, father, grandfather and businessman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his three grandchildren, Alexus, Deon and Jamal. His parents, J.D. Olford, Sr. and Hazel Olford Christopher; and brother, Johnny Ray Harper preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his passing and to cherish his memory, his wife of 40 years, Annie Olford; son, Jason (Lisa) Olford of Dallas; daughters, Shannon Olford of Euless and Ashley Olford of Forney; brothers, Jack Taylor of Boston MA, Ronnie Olford of Trenton, NJ, Kenneth Olford of Trenton, NJ and Bishop Designate Clifford (Stephanie) Olford of Lufkin; sister, Janiece Huff-Olford of Trenton, NJ; sister-in-laws, Shirley White, Cynthia (Ray) Davis of Lufkin, Mary Edens of Vallejo, CA; brother-in-laws, Doyle (Sandra) Thomas and Anthony (Maydessa) Thomas of Lufkin; uncle, Robert Singleton; grandchildren, Alexus Mirah Wagstaff, Jason Deon Olford and Jamal De'Sean Olford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The Lufkin community, the ATA and the world has suffered a great loss to Heaven's gain. To God Be The Glory.