Claude Harden

LAKELAND -- The son of a former Polk County schools superintendent, Mr. Claude "Mac" McEuen Harden Jr. of Lakeland knew the value of a good education from a young age. Mr. Harden died of heart failure Saturday (May 1, 2004) at Oakbridge Healthcare Center. He was 70. Born Dec. 31, 1933, in Pine Mount, he was a lifelong resident of this area. Before going to law school, Mr. Harden taught classes at Auburndale High School. He grew up in a home where education was important, his daughter, Melanie A. Harden, said. His father, Claude Harden Sr., was the county's superintendent of schools during the 1960s. After getting a degree in law, Mr. Harden taught a media law course at Florida Southern College. He also had his own practice and later became an independent title examiner. One of Mr. Harden's hobbies was cooking, his daughter said. For vacations he would travel to New York and California to take week long cooking courses and try new restaurants. His love of cooking was only part of a much larger love of arts and education. "He always instilled to my brother and I how important education is," his daughter said. "He passed on to me a love of life." While raising his children, Mr. Harden would take them to museums and concerts -- anything that exposed them to art and would help them to become well-rounded people, his daughter said. "He was a fun person," she said. "He lived life to the fullest." He was a veteran of the Army, serving as a lieutenant colonel. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Lakeland. In addition to his daughter, Mr. Harden is survived by his son, Claude "Trey" M. Harden III, Tallahassee; brother, Donald Harden, Lakeland; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church. Services will follow at 3 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 809 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801.