Edward Keith Harding

1927 - 2018

Edward Keith Harding

Edward Keith Harding of Cedar Park passed away on November 1, 2018 at the age of 91. He was born on January 24, 1927 in Fort Worth, Texas, to parents George Leslie Harding and Mona V. Kuykendall Harding.

One of three close brothers, Keith grew up in Denton Texas, where his mother was a professor at TSCW. Drafted into the Army in 1945, after graduating from Denton High School, he served in the occupying forces of the Pacific in the latter days of WWII, as a military policeman, attaining the rank of Sergeant. After an honorable discharge he returned to Denton to pursue his education. Keith graduated from North Texas with a degree in Economics in 1949. He married Marcella Queen that same year. They divorced in 1972. Keith continued his education and received his MS degree in 1954 from North Texas. A lifelong educator, he continued his studies at Texas Tech and The University of Texas. He loved UT and for many years attended the basketball and football games. When he could no longer attend in person he watched his Longhorns on television. Hook em Horns!

Keith taught and coached for many years in Andrews, Texas. He was the High School Assistant Principal at AHS from 1967 until 1972. In 1973 he became a consultant for Texas Education Agency in the Division of School Accreditation. During his time with TEA he became Chief Consultant and then Director of Programs in 1983. He spent many years working with schools throughout the state to ensure that students had the best education possible. He retired in 1987.

Keith enjoyed his retirement. He traveled, played golf, fished, visited a casino or two and spent time with his daughters and grandchildren in the Austin and Lake Travis areas. The last year and a half he was content and well cared for at Poet's Walk, a Memory care facility, in Cedar Park.

Keith Harding is survived by his two daughters, Barbara Erwin of Eagle River Alaska, and Cynthia Harding-Woodhull and her husband Bill Woodhull, of Lago Vista Texas. Grandchildren include Charles Erwin, Jeffery Erwin, Alaina Woodhull Dougherty, Alexander Woodhull, and Amy Woodhull. He also leaves four great grandchildren, Jamie Erwin, Riley Erwin, Ainsley Erwin and Truett Erwin. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, George Kirk Harding, and Leslie Stewart Harding.

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 9 at 3 pm at Beck Funeral Home in Cedar Park Texas. A reception will follow immediately at the same location. (www.beckchapels.com) Attendees are encouraged to wear their UT burnt orange attire.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Poet's Walk Cedar Park, Texas Home Health Hospice Services and Nolani Small for their compassionate and excellent care of Daddy in his last years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics Texas or Doctors Without Borders.