Radford, Earl R.

52 year old miner and a resident of Cardin Oklahoma for the last 40 years, was struck by a car and killed as he walked along U. S. Highway 69, a quarter of a mile south of Picher Oklahoma, at 1:30 a. m. today. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Picher hospital. Seriously hurt when his northbound 1950 Chevrolet sedan overturned several times after striking Radford was Houston Countryman, 45, of 1603 P Street northwest, Miami. Countryman, an employee of the city of Miami, suffered a fractured shoulder, an injured breastbone and multiple head lacerations. His condition was described as "satisfactory" at Picher hospital shortly before noon. Trooper Bert George of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Radford died of a broken neck and compound fractures of both legs below the knees. The officer said Radford, who was seen walking down the center of the highway, refused offer's from motorists to take him home. Countryman's car, which went out of control as the Miamian tried to avoid Radford, was demolished. Radford, who became Ottawa county Oklahoma's first traffic victim and Oklahoma's fourth of the year, was walking to his home from Picher when he was killed. The state's toll was 11 at this time in 1954. Trooper George said charges are being withheld pending further investigation. A World War II veteran, Radford is survived by two sons, Raymond Radford of Kansas City Missouri, and David Earl Radford of Bakersfield California; two daughters, Miss Vivian Radford and Miss Dorothy Radford, both of Wichita Kansas; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Radford of Cardin; a sister, Mrs. Florence Ellis of Miami and three grandchildren. Private funeral services will be conducted at the Thomas chapel in Picher at 10 a. m. Thursday. Max Hickerson, minister of the Christian church in Commerce Oklahoma, will officiate. Pallbearers will be J. D. Lawrence, Albert Andrews, Virgil Taylor, I. T. Thomas, Tig Cowden and Blondie Newcomb. Burial will be in G.A.R. cemetery at Miami.