Donald Lockridge

Donald B. Lockridge of Moody passed away Tuesday, Jan. 29. He was 94. Born in Aurora, Ala., he is preceded in death by parents Marvin Hutchins and Hattie Hutchins Lockridge of Gadsden, Ala.Mr. Lockridge was one of the last pioneers of the trucking industry, having been president of several major trucking companies in the Southeast. He was affectionately known as "Hoss" by friends and employees. He began his career in trucking more than a half century ago as a truck driver and worked his way up to management. During his career he was president and general manager of Bowman Transportation Inc., East Gadsden and Atlanta; general manager of Valley Copperstate in California; president and general manager of Deaton Truck Lines, Birmingham; and general manager of TT Brooks in Ohio. He took a brief respite from trucking in the late 1970s and was owner of Western Auto in Leeds, before returning to trucking, where he served as a consultant to several carriers in the state of Alabama, finishing his career as a freight broker, working into his 80s.

He was a WWII veteran, having served honorably for his country in the U.S. Navy. Having traveled throughout the world during his service and honorably discharged in December 1945.He was a devoted University of Alabama football fan. He was a member of the Moody United Methodist Church, where he served in a number of administrative positions.He is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Glenda Ratliff Lockridge of Moody, Ala., son Donald A. Lockridge and wife Martha, grandson Brett Lockridge and wife Johnnie Lockridge, and great grandson Blake Lockridge; daughter Kay Rozelle and husband Larry Rozelle, granddaughter Katie Rozelle, grandson Larry Rozelle II, and great granddaughter Kaylyn Rozelle; son Evan E. Lockridge and wife Deborah Lockridge and granddaughter Capra Lockridge. He was loved by all and will be missed by many. Graveside services will be held Friday, Feb. 1, 1:00 p.m. at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville, Ala., with Brian Wyatt officiating, a former pastor of Mr. Lockridge. He will be buried with military honors, for his country was very important to him as he fought for it. And there's no sound he liked better than hearing Taps. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Lockridge's memory to the Big Oak Boys' Ranch, www.bigoak.org, P.O. Box 507, Springville, AL 35146. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.