Dec. 5, 1932 – Sept. 1, 2024

Funeral services for Maxwell Edgar “Max” Ledford, 91, of Fort Smith, Ark., were held at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at the Ocker Putman Chapel in Fort Smith, Ark.

Burial followed at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home.

Mr. Ledford was born on Dec. 5, 1932, in Asher, Ark., to Pastor Edgar Basil and Thelma (Montgomery) Ledford. He died on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024.

He was a grocer most of his life, working at IGA in Fayetteville, Ark., People’s Warehouse Market in Van Buren, Ark., and then opening a small grocery store, The Market Basket, working there a few years. He later opened another store in Fort Smith, Max’s Market Basket.

He and his partners purchased Muldrow IGA in 1971. In 1978, they opened Green Country Market and Hardware in Sallisaw. After many years in Sallisaw, he returned to Muldrow and purchased the same IGA store and a second Green Country Market, working until his retirement.

He also served for two years in the U.S. Army, enjoyed motorcycles, and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors are wife, Kathy Ledford of the home; two sisters, Marilyn Ward of Fayetteville and Betty Wright of Farmington, Ark.; two daughters, Gaylene Emberton and Lyndon and Gloria Morgan and Steve, all of Muldrow; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one step-son, Scott Harris; five step-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Jackie Robbins and Carolyn Ledford; and two sons, Ledford and Gary Ledford.