Harold Edwin Secor

Harold Edwin Secor passed away on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 at the age of 86. Born March 21, 1925, in Towanda, Pa., Harold was the eldest son of Clare Logan Secor and Mary Emoline (Stoddard) Secor.

Harold graduated from Towanda High School in 1943 and joined the Army. After basic training Harold was stationed at The Citadel and The University of Missouri where he pursued engineering and pre-med courses. He then went to The Baylor College of Medicine where he received his MD in 1949. While at Baylor he met Shirley Marrs and in September 1947 they were married at the Courthouse in Richmond. After graduation, Harold and Shirley moved to Pennsylvania where he served his residency and internship to complete his medical education. Upon completion of his education Harold was "invited" to return to the army where he served in a MASH unit during the Korean war. He opened a private practice in Bellaire, Texas after his return from Korea. In 1959, Harold and Shirley decided to leave Houston to find a better environment to raise their family. They selected Wharton and in 1959 Harold joined the Rugeley and Blasingame Clinic. He left private practice in 1984, but continued his medical profession as the company doctor during construction of The South Texas Nuclear Facility. After "retiring" in the late 1980s, Harold taught classes at Wharton County Junior College where he continued to inspire students until 2005. During this period he also honed his skills as a watch and clock repairman while working with Mr. Laurence Tate at The Old Time Company in El Campo.

"Doc" Secor, as he was known to many of his friends, was an active member of the community. As a member of the VFW, the Lions Club, the Footlighters, The First United Methodist Church, the Wharton County Medical Society, the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and numerous other societies and organizations, he gave of his time, his talent and his treasure for the betterment of all. Doc will be remembered as an avid collector, insatiable reader and cat lover but above all he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grand father.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents Clare and Mary Secor and his brothers Gordon and Albert Secor.

Harold is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Secor of Wharton; his daughters Leslie Driscoll of Wharton, Beth Secor of Houston, and Susan Pfrehm and her husband Gary of Houston; grandchildren Kristi Vaz and husband Ray of Round Rock, Claudia Secor-Watkins and partner Adrienne Snead of New York City, Rachael Parker of Rosenberg, and Ahren Pfrehm and partner Esme Ridings of Vancouver, Wash.; great grandchildren Sarah Chema, Star Frazier, Kellen Poole, Edgar Pfrehm-Ridings, and Elliott Pfrehm-Ridings and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service in celebration of Harold's life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Wharton Funeral Home, 515 East Boling Highway, with the Reverend Meredith Wende officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (514 Poplar Street, Columbia, PA 17512), The Bradford County Historical Society (109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA 18848), The 20th Century Technology Museum (PO Box 868, Wharton, Texas 77488) or the SPCA.