Oran Dabney, Jr.

Oran Dabney, Jr., a resident of Albuquerque, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022.

He was born Thursday, July 17, 1930 in Brawley, California, to Orin and Orean Dabney. Oran was raised in Tipton, Oklahoma from 1941 to 1950. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1950. Oran served in the US Army from 1951 to 1953 in Anchorage, Alaska. He attended University of Central Oklahoma and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957 and then a Masters of Education in July 1969.

He married Joann Hofer in 1954 and together they raised three children, Brent, Cathy, and David.

He was an instructor at the Air Force Base in Amarillo, Texas, a public-school teacher in Indianapolis, Indiana, a teacher at Chilocco Indian Agricultural School in Newkirk, Oklahoma, and administrator with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior in Washington DC. He retired after 25 years of work at the Department of Interior in July of 1985 and returned to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

As an educator, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he taught others how to work with their hands. He was happiest when building, repairing, or improving things. As a younger man he made furniture, and spent time fixing and improving the house he and Joann shared. The desk, bookcases and side tables he built are now cherished family heirlooms. As he grew older, he made colorful wooden toys and puzzles for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his later years he switched over to making punched tin art and mirrors as well as elaborate stained-glass decorations and lamp shades. Everything he made was used in his and Joann's home or given away as gifts to family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joanne; Brent Dabney (Cathy Dabney) of Rapid City, South Dakota, Cathy Rogers (Gary Oty) and David Dabney (Nicole Smalley), both of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren, Benjamin Rogers (Angie Rogers) of Mansfield, Massachusetts, Michael Rogers-Oty of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and great-grandchildren Cassidy and Dylan Rogers, of Mansfield, Massachusetts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orin and Orean Dabney; sisters, Dorothy Woolen and Doris Wright; and brother, JB Dabney.

Interment will take place Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 1:30 p.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery