RONALD OVERAKER
March 4, 1942-Feb. 12, 2010
Ronald F. Overaker, 67, died Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at home after a three-year battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, from Pleasant Green United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery.
He was born in Orange County on March 4, 1942, to William Thomas "Bill" Overaker and Gertrude Smith Overaker. Mr. Overaker attended Hillsborough schools and graduated in 1961. He went on to study as a machinist at Durham Technical Institute and as a watch maker. Mr. Overaker was employed at Duke University Medical Center for 42 years. He worked as the manager of the Research Instrument shop at Duke University and as the director of the biophysics' laboratory for Duke Ophthalmology. Mr. Overaker was also the owner and president of Research Instruments, Inc., which he founded in 1975. Through his work at Duke University Medical Center, Duke Eye Center and Research Instruments Inc., Mr. Overaker owns many patents and accomplishments.
In addition to his work, Mr. Overaker served in the National Guard for 7 years, was a member of the Board of Directors of Eno Fire and Rescue for 14 years, was the chairperson for the building committee, and was instrumental in establishing the new Eno Fire Station No. 2 on Saint Mary's Road. He was a member of Pleasant Green United Methodist Church, and during his better health, enjoyed his hobbies of watch repair and old cars with special friends.
Mr. Overaker is survived by his wife of 45 years, Charlotte Estes Overaker of Durham; daughter, Cynthia Overaker Thornton and husband, Rick, of Goldsboro; son, Dean Overaker of Durham; grandchildren Ashley Thornton, Shayne Overaker, Nick Overaker, Christian Overaker; and step-grandsons, Rossi Thornton and Caleb Thornton. He is also survived by his mother, Gertrude Smith Overaker of Hillsborough; brothers, Tommy Overaker and wife, Carolyn, of Walkertown; Larry Overaker and wife, Helen, of Hillsborough; sisters, Phyllis Ross and husband, George, of Arlington, Va.; Judy McGhee of Yorktown, Va., and Peggy Berryhill and husband, Lee, of Hillsborough; sister-in-law, Joyce Duncan, of Durham; and brother-in-law, Larry Estes, of Semora; and many special nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and a great-great-nephew, several of whom were a great help during his extended illness.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Overaker; his father-in-law, George Daylon Estes; his mother-in-law, Lorena Jackson Estes; his grandson, Brandon Overaker; his brothers-in-law, Cecil Duncan and Tom Eastman, and his sister-in-law, Loretta Estes.
Friends may visit with the family from 6 until 8 p.m., today at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home, 1113 West Main St., Durham, and at their home at other times. Pallbearers are Jeff Duncan, Steve Duncan, Jeff Lenox, Daylon Hayes, Mike Brogden, and Steve Tyler. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Mincey, Billy Walker, Charles Waddell, Phillip Totten, Pleasant Green UMC men's group, his close friends from Duke University, and the Eno Fire Department.
Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be made to Eno Fire and Rescue Fireman's Fund 5019 Hwy. 70 Durham, NC 27705, First Candle (SIDS Alliance) 1314 Bedford Ave., Suite 210 Baltimore, MD 21208 www.firstcandle.org, Duke HomeCare and Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704.
Online memorials may be directed to www.hallwynne.com.
Arrangements for the Overaker family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on February 14, 2010 12:35 PM