Obituary of Harold Raymond Harding

Harold Raymond Harding, 85, loving husband and father, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on August 16, 2018.

Harold was born on April 18, 1933 in Noxen PA and was the son of Wilson Lamont Harding and Elro (Meyers) Harding.

He was in the last graduating class of Noxen High School, 1951. He graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1955 with a BS degree in Dairy Science. He had three siblings: PFC Warren E. Harding (died in Kobe Japan, Allied Occupation, WWII 1947), Carol Harding Reese, (deceased, 2002), brother-in-law William Reese, and one surviving brother, Richard Byron Harding and his sister-in-law Jean Marie Harding. Harold entered the US Airforce Aviation Cadets in 1956. He was assigned to fly the KC-97s Stratotanker, aerial refueler at McDill AFB, Tampa FL where he met the love of his life, Judith Murphy Atkins, who he married June 27, 1959. Judith and Harold were married for 59 years years. He went on to fly C54 Skymasters, T-39 Saberliner, C124 Globe Masters, and his beloved C141 Starlifter during the Vietnam era. Harold was stationed at McGuire AFB, New Jersey; Dover AFB, DE; Mactan AFB in Cebu, Phillipines; Torrejon AFB, Torrejon, Spain; Lindsey AFB, Wiesbaden, Germany. Harold and Judith have four children and 8 grandchildren. Daughter Wanda (Harding) Woodworth, son-in-law, Kevin Woodworth, Little Elm, Texas; daughter, Dr. Brenda (Harding) Hage, son-in-law Nafty Hage, grandsons, David and Michael Hage, Dallas, PA; son Warren Harding, daughter-in-law, Janet Harding, Lewisberry, PA, grandsons 2nd Lt. USAF Stephen Harding and Nathan Harding, and grand-daughters Jennifer and Amanda Hilbish; son Jason Harding, and daughter-in-law Carol (Reinhard) Harding, grand-daughter Megan Harding and grandson Jacob Harding, Exeter, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Following his 12 1/2 years in the U.S. Air Force, Harold worked for 20 years at Procter and Gamble, Mehoopany, PA in production planning. He enjoyed farming on his family homestead, and he was active in his local community in several elected offices. He particularly enjoyed aviation and flying with his two sons also licensed pilots. One of his fondest memories was flying to Alaska in his Mooney M20F with his son Warren. 

There will be no calling hours, a private service will be held at the convenience of the immediate family.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

In lieu of flowers, donations made be may to the Southern Wyoming County Community Center (SOWYCO), 3600 State Route 29 South, Noxen, PA 18636; the Wounded Warriors Project, http://woundedwarriorproject.org ; or another charity of personal choice.

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