John Harding

On Friday January 18, 2019 John Owen Harding, our father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather peacefully from this life at the age of 90. John (known to many as “Jack”) was born May 14, 1928 to Florence Vilate Backus and Owen Meeks Harding. John married the love of his life, Elaine Anderson, on June 1, 1946 and they began building a marvelous posterity (7 children, 41 grandchildren, 78 great grandchildren, and two great- great grandchildren). John is survived by his children Kathy (Raymond), Sherrie (Ken), Kenneth (Harriett), Gloria (Chuck), Dale (Lana), Tamara (Keith), and Kayla.

John was briefly married to Thelma Green whom he divorced, and was separated from his third wife Leta Harding when he passed away.

John is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Elaine, his parents and his siblings (Richard) Phil, Barbara, Evelyn, Shirley, Lawrence, Wallace, Linda, and Stephen. John is also preceded in death by his grandson Jeremy Kent Brackman, and his great-great granddaughter Serenity Ann Oliveros-Perry. John’s surviving siblings are Gary Harding and Jeanette Harding Roberts.

John’s life was filled with hard work, fun, and family. Setting many track and field records while attending Bear River High School prepared John for running around caring for seven children and his wonderful life with Elaine. Memories from John and Elaine’s children include: kick-the-can where Mom and Dad joined in, water fights and reunions, setting up and working at KFC stores, boating and skiing on Lake Mead, swimming at Red Rock pool, ice skating in Tremonton, deer hunting with Mom and Dad in northwest Utah with Mom’s brother and sister (Uncle Eldon and Aunt Ione), sleigh rides in Bothwell using Grandpa Anderson’s tractor and a car hood for the “Sleigh”, raising quail in Texas, sailing the high seas, and beekeeping. John’s favorite activity was fishing, whenever and wherever. His children also remember moving, over and over again, which led John and Elaine’s children to find their spouse from far-flung regions.

John asked to be laid to rest next to his cherished wife Elaine, and asked we include his trusty fishing pole (but no worms please). We will miss his dry humor. God Speed John.

A private family service will be held 2 p.m. on February 2, 2019 at the Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home (111 N. 100 E.- Tremonton, UT). Interment in the Valley View Cemetery in Bothwell, Utah.

Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Foundation in memory of John O. Harding.