Oxendine says farewell to probation career

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

March 2001

Oxendine Says Farewell
By Adriane Reesey, Division II Community Development Specialist

LUMBERTON - Co-workers, friends and family of Delton Oxendine attended his retirement luncheon Feb. 28 at the National Guard Armory.

"I have enjoyed my 29 years. There has been a lot more ups than downs, and I am very pleased with the District," said Oxendine.

Oxendine started his career with the Division of Community Corrections as a parole officer in September 1971. He was the third officer in Robeson County. All cases were handled alphabetically at the time, and he held the H-I-J-K and L cases. Before then cases were handled by race, however a African American or American Indian officer could not supervise any cases other than their respective races. White officers however could supervise all cases. He was promoted to supervisor at the Lumberton Pre-release and Aftercare program in 1983, and then promoted to Center Director in 1986. In 1993 he was made JDM in Robeson County where he remained until his retirement.

The Robeson County native graduated from Pembroke State University in 1961 and majored in physical education with a minor in agriculture. In 1962, Oxendine joined the U.S. Army. His tenure, although short, with the military was quite memorable in that he was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. His unit was placed on alert for fear of rioting in the city. Whe he left the Army, his first job was in farming, a lifelong passion that he hopes to returnto upon his retirement.

Oxendine’s hobbies are fishing and visiting the sick, elderly and unsaved. He serves as a deacon at the Bear Swamp Baptist Church as well as Sunday school director and outreach director. He also serves on many committees. He will take over the position of custodian at the church upon his retirement.

In addition, Oxendine serves as a volunteer with the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, and has been the treasurer for the past 30 years. He has also served on the Lumbee Tribal Council as an elected official, from 1994 until January 2001, when a new council was formed. He now serves as speaker in the district, and carries out all meetings.

His staff has many nice things to say about him and it is obvious Oxendine will be missed. "Mr. Delton is one of the finest men I've ever met, he is very kindhearted and giving," said Teresa Gill, probation/parole officer. "Mr. Delton is an honest, straight forward guy, a real humanitarian who tells you what to do and expects you to do it," said Stanley Clark, chief probation/parole officer. He added, "He has been almost like a father figure to me."

Oxendine and his wife Nell have a daughter in college.

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