Ronald F. Overaker

Ronald F. Overaker, age 67, died Friday February 12, 2010, at home after a three year battle with cancer. 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 is 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 chair person for the building committee, and was instrumental in establishing the new Eno Fire Station number 2 on Saint Mary’s Rd. 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, NC; Larry Overaker and wife, Helen, of Hillsborough, NC; sisters, Phyllis Ross and husband, George, of Arlington, VA; Judy McGhee of Yorktown, VA, and Peggy Berryhill and husband, Lee, of Hillsborough, NC; sister-in-law Joyce Duncan, of Durham, NC; and brother-in-law, Larry Estes, of Semora, NC.; 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 brother-in-laws, Cecil Duncan and Tom Eastman, and his sister-in-law, Loretta Estes.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday February 15, 2010 from Pleasant Green United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sunday February 14, 2010 at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home, 1113 West Main Street, Durham, NC 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 Firemans Fund 5019 Hwy 70 Durham, NC 27705, First Candle SIDS Alliance 1314 Bedford Avenue, Suite 210 Baltimore, MD 21208 www.firstcandle.org, Duke HomeCare & Hospice 4321 Medical Park Drive Suite 101 Durham, NC 27704.

Online memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.

Arrangements for the Overaker family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham.

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