George Robert "Bob" Harding

George Robert "Bob" Harding
June 12, 1936 - April 12, 2014
George Robert Harding "Bob", passed away Saturday, April 12, 2014 in Ogden, Utah.
Bob was born June 12, 1936 in Malad, Idaho, to loving parents, Ralph William and Kathryn Olson Harding. He joined a family that included a brother, Ralph Ray, and three sisters, Joyce Ludean (Freidenberger), Cliss Nadine (Cox) and Alice Kay (Miller). Two younger brothers Don Louis and Thomas Hal later joined this close knit family. These seven siblings had many adventures on the family farm and throughout their lives. The family farm is where Bob learned his work ethic. He was a famously hard worker.
Bob attended schools in St. Anthony, Malad and he graduated from Pocatello High School in 1954. He played football at Snow College and Utah State University. Sports played a large role in his life.
Bob was an Electronic Technician for the Federal Aviation Administration, he learned the skills for this job while serving in the Air Force. When he retired from the FAA after 35 years, he worked as a contractor for Raytheon. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Smith on March 3, 1959. They were married for 40 years and had three children; Robert Lane (Kathy) of Santa Clarita, CA, Holly Kay Harding Josephson (Ryan) of Eden, UT, and Heidi Kathleen Jones (Tom) of Yuma, AZ all of whom survive him. He and Kathleen followed his career to Alaska, California, Utah and Idaho, with many training trips to Oklahoma City. He was Kathleen's tender nurse as she lost her battle with leukemia.
He married Jacque Jeppsen on November 4, 2000. He gained five stepchildren with this union. Brian (Anita) Jeppsen, Malad, Tammy (Dave) Williams, Malad, Kaylene (Chad) Rindlisbacher (Malad), Ron (Kathy) Jeppsen, Pocatello, and Chris (Jen) Jeppsen, also of Pocatello. Bob and Jacque had a marriage filled with fun, travel and lots of days on the golf course, as they wintered in Mesquite, Nevada and summered at Star Valley Ranches in Wyoming. Together they served a church mission as tour guides at the Cody (Wyoming) Chapel Mural. Jacque lovingly cared for Bob as Alzheimer's slowly took away his memories and abilities. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His favorite service was with the young men, and he is remembered by many of them for his quick wit, his dedication to service, and his great joy when working with them.
One of his best memories was working as a volunteer at the Danny Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament, founded by his brother, Ralph. For several years, Bob was the logistics guy in charge of transportation. He also enjoyed traveling to Taiwan with Ralph and playing in the China Trust Cup International Invitational Golf Tournament. Bob was a loving grandfather to he and Kathleen's 9 grandchildren, Harrison (Jessica), Brooks, Connor, Sydney (Jacob), Garrett, Tanner, Elizabeth, Riley and Brady and their 3 great-grandchildren. He gained 23 grandchildren and 27 great- grandchildren with his marriage to Jacque. Family was all important to Bob. His teasing will long be remembered by his in-laws, nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Malad LDS 2nd Ward Chapel, 20 S. 100 W. Friends may visit with the family this evening from 6-8 and Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N. Burial will follow in the Malad City Cemetery. Our thanks to the staff at the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home and Bristol Hospice for their excellent care. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.horsleyfuneralhome.com