Nathan Ryals Basford Sr. died peacefully June 9, 2022, at Marianna Health and Rehabilitation Center, He was 87.
He was born November 26,1934, in Cypress, Fl. and grew up in the Dellwood Community. He completed Dellwood School and earned his G.E.D. from Jackson County Adult Ed.
Nathan was a free spirit his entire life. He was a member of the Masons Harmony Lodge # 3, Marianna,Florida for over 50 years and a member of Shriners Hadji Temple, Pensacola, Florida for over 47 years. In 2018, he moved his membership from Providence Baptist Church to Dellwood Baptist Church.
He held many occupations during his life: farm worker, stable boy, soldier, heavy equipment operator, salesmen, and pipeline foreman. But, his lifetime ambition was to follow in the footsteps of his father and be a heavy equipment operator. For over 59 years he was a proud union member of Local 653 Operating Engineers during which time he was elected to serve as their Business Agent. He often referred to himself as a “World Famous International Pipeliner” because of his work in the U.S., Brazil, Columbia. Peru, Iran and Panama. He was admired and respected by the men he worked with and supervised. Many of his peers considered him to be the best dozer operator ever. He had a high school education, but he was the one of the men on construction projects that brought architects’ and engineers’ plans into reality.
Although Nathan’s work took him to many different states and countries, when he retired he and Pat returned to his family homestead in Dellwood.
Nathan had a passion for fishing and instilled that in his sons and grandchildren. He also enjoyed camping with Pat and they made many friends during their winter vacations in Central Florida. He dearly loved family gatherings on holidays and special occasions and visits with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan B. and Edna Basford; daughter, Linda Gail Basford; wife, Patricia Louise Basford
Nathan is survived by three sons, Nathan R. “Bubba” Basford, Jr., Larry R. Basford, Gregory A. Basford; one daughter, Brenda B. Weesner (Mike); loving sister, Patricia Odom; grandchildren, Travis Basford (Nicole), Kaci Halls (Thomas), Whitney Basford, Bob Miller (Lisa) Clayton Miller, Angielyn Weesner, LeAnna Stooksbury; 15 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.
Visitation will be Monday, June 13, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at James and Sikes Funeral Home. The service to honor and celebrate the life and spirit of Nathan will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Dellwood Baptist Church (6512 Blue Springs Rd, Greenwood, FL 32443). Following the service, a reception will be held in the Dellwood Baptist Church fellowship hall.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com
