Oscar Compton

1934 - 2021

Oscar Compton
March 10, 1934 - July 9, 2021
Cedar Grove, North Carolina - Oscar Anderson Compton, 87, of Cedar Grove, peacefully departed this earth to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 9, 2021 with his wife and children by his side.
Oscar was born on March 10, 1934 to Frank and Carrie VanHook Compton in Cedar Grove, at an unbelievable 13 lbs. After graduating from Aycock High School, he enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed at Sewart AFB (TN) and Thule AFB (Greenland). He returned home after his father's death to help his mother with the farm. He later enrolled in High Point College where he was a walk-on to Coach Virgil Yow's basketball team. Oscar enjoyed playing basketball and studying chemistry at High Point but when his mother fell ill as the only son in his family, he sacrificed his GI bill and remaining college opportunities to return home and run the family farm. Family came second only to the Lord for Oscar.
In 1959, he met Gerry Watson of Prospect Hill at a dance and wed the love of his life in April 1960. In addition to Gerry, Oscar leaves behind his 4 daughters: Robyn R. Compton Whitman, Connie Compton Johnson, Kim Compton Pope Ward and Amy Compton Link. His deep and enduring love for his wife and daughters was beyond measure and they adored him.
In addition to his wife and daughters Oscar is survived by his daughter's spouses: Charles, Stan, Russell and Todd, 8 grandchildren who called him "Papa": John Franklin Pope, Rachel Whitman Erickson (Matt), Anderson Compton Pope (Ali), Olivia Claire Johnson, Stanford Hampton Johnson III, Rebekah Marie Whitman (Kenry), Annika Caroline Link and Emery Compton Link, and 4 great-grandchildren: Zander Pope, Zeke Pope, Aiyana Erickson and Asher Pope.
Oscar was a significant contributor to the Cedar Grove community and Cedar Grove United Methodist Church. He was a man of deep faith, strength, determination, and perseverance. His faith in God was unshakable and sustained him throughout his life. If you spoke to him for any time you would quickly learn of his adoration for his family. Oscar was the youngest of 5 children and the only son to his beloved mother, Carrie 'Frank' Compton. Given he had 4 older sisters but no brothers, he often said how accustomed he was to living with 5 women his entire life and his daughters adored him. Oscar was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for and his life was a blessing to his family and the Cedar Grove community. It is difficult to put into words Oscar's overwhelming generosity and kindness towards family, friends, and strangers alike. He was incredibly kind-hearted.
He enjoyed serving on the Orange County Board of Education for 12 years and in the Cedar Grove Ruritan Club for over 50 years where he dedicated a great amount of time and energy towards growing the Ruritan Club.
Oscar was named Outstanding Young Farmer by 1968 by the Dept of Agriculture. In addition to farming, Oscar worked with NC State College of Agriculture and Extension Services, Oscar was also an auctioneer for many years across Orange and neighboring counties.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates any donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern North Carolina. You can donate online at this link: Eastern North Carolina Chapter (alz.org), or via phone at 919-803-8285.
There will be a memorial and celebration of Oscar's life at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 14th at 11 am.