Harding_Gerald_Ben_2 April 1932
HEYBURN _ Gerald Ben Harding, 77, of Heyburn passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at his home of natural causes.
Gerald was born April 2, 1932 in Malad, Idaho to Benjamin William and June Yearsley Harding.
He has been married to Ann Bailey Harding for 57 years.
He grew up and attended schools in Malad. He served in the U.S. army from 1953 to 1955, during the Korean War. He attended Washington State University and Utah State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from USU and a master’s degree from the University of Idaho.
He began his teaching and coaching career in Bellevue, Idaho, then moved to Oakley, Idaho, Buhl, Idaho and then Minidoka County, where he taught math and coached for 32 years. He also farmed and worked in construction.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in Young Men, Scouts, Bishopric, High Council, and Sunday School. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his boys and grandsons, athletics, coaching, and summer basketball camps with family. He also loved to draw and sing to his family.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Ann Harding: children, Toby (Diane) Harding, Teri (L. Jay) Mitchell, Dean (Julie) Harding, Cindy (Mike) Mickelsen, Bob Harding and Diane (Dave) Long; 40 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; brother, Merrill Harding; and sisters, Gay Scott, Pauline Meyerhoeffer, and Tamra Arthur. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday February 13, 2010 at the LDS Heyburn Second Ward Chapel, 530 Villa Drive in Heyburn. Burial will follow at the Riverside Cemetery in Heyburn. Visitation for family and friends will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 12, at Hansen Mortuary Rupert Chapel, 710 Sixth St., and one h our prior to the service on Saturday at the church.
The family would like to thank Intermountain Health Care Hospice. Gerald loved the community and the people he lived around.