Herman Lester "Jack" Harding
June 12, 1918 — March 9, 2004
Herman Lester “Jack” Harding, of Eureka, died on March 9, 2004, at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, at the age of 85.
He was born on June 12, 1918, in Hasty, Arkansas, the son of Fred and Lena Mary “Kay” (Dees) Harding. He was raised in Greenwood County and attended local schools. During Jacks high school years, the family moved to Oregon, and then moved back to Eureka the next year. In 1938, after graduation, Jack joined the United States Navy and was a survivor of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served his country with honor and distinction during World War II and the Korean Conflict and in 1958, he retired from the Navy after 20 years of service to his country.
In 1940, Jack was united in marriage to Wilma Pearl Beedles in Los Angeles, California. After leaving the military, he lived in the Wichita and Mulvane areas, working for Boeing until 1969, when he moved to Toronto and later Eureka. Wilma died on May 25, 1972, after thirty-two years of marriage. Jack worked as a prison guard and later operated the Traveler’s Motel in Eureka. On August 15, 1991, Jack was united in marriage to Doris Joan (Henderson) Olson. She preceded him in death on September 9, 2001.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Wakeegan, Illinois, York Rite Bodies, the Midian Shrine Temple, VFW Post #2712, American Legion of Mulvane, and the Greenwood County Shrine.
He is survived by three sons, Hugh H. Harding of Wichita, John F. Harding of Mulvane, Michael J. Harding of Kansas City, Missouri; one daughter, Sue Ann Whitcomb of Wyandotte, Oklahoma; one step-daughter, Kris Calvert; one brother, Richard O. Harding of Wichita; and one sister, Ruth L. Brunt of Hobbs, New Mexico. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, wives, and two brothers.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, March 12, 2004, at Koup Family Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in his name with the VFW Post #2712. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home.
He was born on June 12, 1918, in Hasty, Arkansas, the son of Fred and Lena Mary “Kay” (Dees) Harding. He was raised in Greenwood County and attended local schools. During Jacks high school years, the family moved to Oregon, and then moved back to Eureka the next year. In 1938, after graduation, Jack joined the United States Navy and was a survivor of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served his country with honor and distinction during World War II and the Korean Conflict and in 1958, he retired from the Navy after 20 years of service to his country.
In 1940, Jack was united in marriage to Wilma Pearl Beedles in Los Angeles, California. After leaving the military, he lived in the Wichita and Mulvane areas, working for Boeing until 1969, when he moved to Toronto and later Eureka. Wilma died on May 25, 1972, after thirty-two years of marriage. Jack worked as a prison guard and later operated the Traveler’s Motel in Eureka. On August 15, 1991, Jack was united in marriage to Doris Joan (Henderson) Olson. She preceded him in death on September 9, 2001.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Wakeegan, Illinois, York Rite Bodies, the Midian Shrine Temple, VFW Post #2712, American Legion of Mulvane, and the Greenwood County Shrine.
He is survived by three sons, Hugh H. Harding of Wichita, John F. Harding of Mulvane, Michael J. Harding of Kansas City, Missouri; one daughter, Sue Ann Whitcomb of Wyandotte, Oklahoma; one step-daughter, Kris Calvert; one brother, Richard O. Harding of Wichita; and one sister, Ruth L. Brunt of Hobbs, New Mexico. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, wives, and two brothers.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, March 12, 2004, at Koup Family Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in his name with the VFW Post #2712. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home.
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