David Patton Oldham, Jr.

David met the love and passion of his life before taking off for Tennessee.  Diana Littleton Perry captured the attention – and heart – of David growing up in downtown Mt. Sterling and attending Mt. Sterling High School.  David and Diana later married in 1960 after both finished college that year.  Having been a cadet in ROTC at Vanderbilt, David was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation and was assigned to the Field Artillery branch.  He was given the assignment of serving as a forward observer in a division located in Erlangen, West Germany, where he lived and worked for a year.  David was serving in Germany when the Berlin Wall was erected in 1961, the same year his first son, Benjamin Turner Oldham (Ben), Sr. was born in Mt. Sterling.  David returned to the U.S., received an honorable discharge and began a 30-year career working with his father and uncle at Oldham’s Store in downtown Mt. Sterling.  David and Diana had a second son, William Kavanaugh Oldham (Bill), in 1963, a daughter, Mary Bridgforth Oldham (Mary), in 1965 and third son Matthew Perry Oldham (Matt) in 1974.  Along the journey, David served multiple terms on the Mt. Sterling City Council; he served as Vestry member, Layreader and Sunday school teacher at Ascension Episcopal Church; and he served as Boy Scout Leader for the local scout troop.  He was a proud and active Rotary Club member for many years.  

David loved spending time with his family most of all.  They hiked and canoed at the Red River Gorge several times a year, spending time on the trails around Raven’s Rock and picnicking at Rock Bridge and Graves Arch, among many spots in the Gorge.  The family drove to Michigan, Florida, New York City and South Carolina for exciting family vacations on beaches, mountains and in cities that allowed the family to explore and learn about the world.  David and Diana loved Broadway musicals like Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, The King and I, and A Chorus Line, and they played the soundtracks from these shows on a record player while hosting Bridge or Hearts card games with adult friends and friends of their children.  David loved Bridge and played well into his 80’s, passing his love for the game on to his children.  David also loved the game of golf, both playing and watching it, trekking around Valhalla Golf Club for the PGA for as long as his legs would allow.  

David and Diana traveled to North Carolina, Louisville and Seattle to spend quality time with their eleven grandchildren.  They traveled to graduations and a wedding.  They were constantly on the go and loved spending time with each other on long rides across the country.  

Unfortunately, David lost Diana in 2008 and then Mary two years later, both to pancreatic cancer.  He also lost his only sibling Jack Oldham during this same period.  Finding companionship and empathy with close friend Barbara Prairie, David and Barbara spent quality time together in Berea, Kentucky for their final years living independently.  David is predeceased by his parents David (Sr.) and Mary Oldham, his brother Jack Oldham, wife Diana Perry Oldham, and daughter Mary Oldham.  Survivors include David’s son Ben (Beth), son Bill (Suzanne), and son Matt, along with grandchildren Turner, Callie, Clay, Will, Alex, Annie, Josh Betz, Justin Betz and Megan, Hannah and Carson Oldham.  

David lived a full life and leaves a legacy of family who honor and are grateful for all he gave.  David’s life was marked by his commitment to service, sacrifice and community.  He served God; he served his country; and he served his town, community and church.  He sacrificed his time and treasures to ensure his children received the love and attention they needed and the access to excellent educations and opportunities that opened doors for them.  And he was committed to building and bettering his home community, his town and his world by accepting everyone, loving everyone and giving all he had to leave this world a better place than he found it.  Always the scout leader, following the camper’s credo, David left his campsite in life a better place than he found it.  He was deeply loved and admired by his family, and he will be missed.

A Memorial Service and Reception for David will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Ascension Episcopal Church in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.