George Wesley Oldham

George Wesley Oldham, age 95 of Indianapolis, died Friday, January 19, 2024, at his residence.

George W. Oldham was born February 28, 1928, to Jesse and Ada Oldham (Brewer) in Clarksville, TN. As a young boy, George moved with his family to Indianapolis where he attended Indianapolis Public Schools. Following completion of his diploma at Crispus Attucks High School, George immediately began working and carving out a name for himself. It was not long after high school that he met and fell head over heels for the love of his life, Bobbie Jean. George and Bobbie married on October 4, 1948, and shared nearly 75 years of marriage. Shortly after marrying, George was drafted to the U.S. Army and served faithfully until discharged. Upon discharge, he eagerly returned home to begin life with his bride.

George had a servant’s heart and was affectionately known as Daddy, Papa, Uncle George, Unit 1, Stem, and Pap. When Papa joined Second Christian Church (Light of the World Christian Church) in 1971 he found a home and a mission. He led the way in implementing security protocols for building offerings and even coordinated with President Jimmy Carter’s Secret Service Team when he visited the church in 1976. George, or Uncle George as he became known, was Man of the Year for Second Christian Church in 1978.

To know Papa was to love him. He had a smile that could truly light up a room and a laugh that brought joy to your heart. He was eager to greet all those he met with a ‘Good Morning’ and a ‘Praise the Lord’. He was a man of action

and committed himself to caring for those who might need his help. His reach far surpassed those in his immediate household. Papa could fix about anything and if he saw a need or problem, he was quick to find a solution with his “do it now” mindset. His loving care was evident to all he encountered; from the little children in the daycare to the cashier he met on his daily shopping trips.

George is preceded in death by his beloved bride, Bobbie Oldham; daughter, Phyllis Ann; and siblings, Josephine Meriweather, Rev. Jesse Oldham Jr., Virginia ‘Dogo” Hargrow and Annie Mae Lyle. He leaves to cherish his precious memory, children DeWayne Oldham, Crystal Graves (Oldham) and Kathy Ledsinger; grandchildren, Dewayne Oldham Jr., Christopher Graves Jr., Crystiene Graves, Lawrence Oldham, Christiana Blair (Graves), and Christian Graves; his many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; as well as, his treasured birds and squirrels he lovingly cared for every day without fail.