Dallas Lee Wolford

Dallas Lee Wolford, 95, of Lake Mary, Florida passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alma Wolford, father, Claude Wolford (Florida), his mother, Emilie Miller (Bob), and many important friends and family members in his life. He is survived by his children, Margaret Susan (“Susie”) Paugh (Ralph) and Ronald Lee Wolford, grandchildren Amy Shaw (Kaabe) and Michael Paugh (Sarah), and four great-grandchildren, Keegan Shaw, Maya Shaw, Jackson Paugh, and Lily Paugh. In addition, he is also survived by extended family, specifically his nephews Michael Davis (Frances), William Davis, great-niece Ginny Jordan (Dustin) and her children, Peyton and Davis. The family would also like to recognize close family friend Margaret Nelson who cared for Dallas and his home for over thirty-five years and his good friend Ellie Kroll for the friendship she provided. The family would also like to mention close friend Irma Bobo and husband Barry for your love and friendship. Dallas was born at Princeton Hospital in Princeton, West Virginia on Sunday, April 4th,1927 to Claude Wolford and Emilie Miller. He grew up in Princeton, WV where he attended Princeton High School. Following high school, he attended Concord College in Athens, WV for one year and then attended various heavy equipment management trainings throughout his career. Dallas married the love of his life, Alma Jewel Belcher, of Princeton, WV in Bluefield, Virginia April 15th, 1947. Dallas was a proud veteran of the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific Ocean theater during World War II as a motor machinist mate, first class. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy out of high school and served for three years from 1943 until he was honorably discharged on May 28th,1946. During his time serving our country he received three accommodations, including the Asiatic Pacific Medal with one star. Everyone who knew Dallas, knew he had an impressive work ethic throughout his life. Dallas started his lengthy career in 1948 with W.N. Jackson Company and Ralph E. Mills Company where he was the superintendent of bridges until 1954. Early in his career, Dallas was the Estimator and Project Manager for S.J. Groves & Sons throughout West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Minnesota. Throughout his time with Groves, Dallas worked with multiple subsidiaries as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, including Jasper Construction Company, Gopher Mining Company, and Manlo Mining Company. As Vice President and General Manager for S.J. Groves Overseas, he worked in La Paz, Bolivia in lead and silver mining projects and further investigated gold concessions along with lead, zinc, and silver exploration throughout Guatemala. Impressively, he also completed a road project in the Andes mountains while in Bolivia. Dallas was held in high regard by multiple companies throughout his successful career and held many positions, including Vice President of Florida Highway Operation for Danis Industries. During Dallas’s time in Florida, he was the consultant for Reechi-America throughout the Dade County Project. Dallas was also the consultant for Hubbard Construction for the Maitland Boulevard Orange County Project, serving on the Florida Highway Dispute Review Board. Most recently, Dallas served on the Orlando International Airport Project Review Board. Towards the end of his career, he was involved in many entrepreneurial endeavors throughout the state of Florida. To the family who knew Dallas best, though his work was impressive, he will be remembered for his love and generosity for others. Favorite memories of Dallas as father and grandfather include swimming in the waves at New Smyrna Beach, deep sea fishing, playing bingo with his son and local friends, playing cards with his grandchildren and great niece, traveling with family, enjoying all kinds of music, and watching his favorite westerns, particularly John Wayne movies. He could keep an audience captivated with an ornery joke or story and could strike up a conversation with a stranger, by the end becoming acquaintances. He often traveled back to his home state of West Virginia to visit his daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Ralph and his grandchildren, Amy and Michael. Dallas also enjoyed accomplishing various tasks and projects that helped others who were less fortunate. As a member of Asbury United Methodist Church of Maitland, Florida, he found great joy in building a playground for the church preschool. Being the church that his father and son also attended, Dallas found friendship and solace in his work with the church and relationship with friends in the congregation over the years. This same church awarded him the “Man of the Year” award, of which he was immensely proud and honored. The family would like to thank all healthcare and hospice workers from Brooksdale Home Health Care and Advent Hospice Care. Their patience, love, and grace towards Dallas and the family was greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten. A memorial service for Dallas Wolford will be held 2:00 pm Friday, September 2nd, 2022 at Asbury United Methodist Church on 220 Horatio Ave West in Maitland, Florida. A reception will follow. A graveside service for Dallas will be held 11:00 am Saturday, September 10th, 2022 at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, WV. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Asbury Methodist Church in Maitland or The Salvation Army in Princeton, WV.

Dallas Lee Wolford

April 24, 1927 - August 16, 2022