Harold Slade

CYNTHIANA - Harold Coleman Slade, 93, of Cynthiana, husband of Dorothy Slade, died Monday, March 25, 2013 at the Harrison Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Harold was born to Rupert and Jessie Slade on October 1, 1919 on North Main St. in Cynthiana, KY. Most of his early years were spent in Bourbon County, and he started the first grade in Millersburg. Before his first years was over, the family moved back to Cynthiana. Harold attended the Kehoe one-room school for one year, and the rest of his education was in the Cynthiana Schools. He graduated from Cynthiana High in 1937. Harold had been a member of the Cynthiana Methodist Church since his early years. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 58 and was assistant scout master when he was called into the armed forces in 1941. He entered the service on April 10, 1941 and was sent to Camp Shelby, MS, and was assigned to the 149th Infantry of the 38th Division. He trained across many of the southern states. Early in 1944 he was very proud of the opportunity to pass through the Panama Canal on his way to the Pacific Theater. He served in Hawaii, New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon of the Philippines Islands. Early in 1945 his 38th Division was the major unit to recapture Bataan of the Philippines. When the war was over, he received his discharge on November 8, 1945 after almost five years of service. After his days in the service, he attended most of his 149th reunions and has remained in touch with many of his service friends and their families. During the year he collected information about their reunions and news of his friends and sent an annual letter to all each October. At its peak his mailing list totaled 65. Harold drove a truck for Standard Oil for 24 years. He was employed at Ladish almost 13 years and over two years at Cleveland Twist Drill. He retired in 1986. Harold was a member of the Harrison County Trust and the Harrison Co. Historical Society. Harold and Dorothy restored the Abdell Cemetery, the burial site of his great-great- great-grandparents. He incorporated the cemetery, served on the board of directors and continued to help maintain the old cemetery all these many years. Harold was one of the original directors of the Cynthiana-Harrison County Museum. He often called himself the "hanger upper." A good day at the museum just made his day. He had a strong interest in family history and created several histories on his and Dorothy's families. Harold was the author of two books. The first was a story of his life and the second was memories of his father-in-law, Ezra Florence. He thought the good old stories of "Mr. Ezra" needed to be saved. After a recent article in The Lexington Herald-Leader by Tom Eblen concerning Harold and the museum in Cynthiana, he received an Outstanding Citizen Award from the Kentucky House of Representatives and was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Rupert and Jessie Moreland Slade. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Florence Slade; three daughters, Kay (Robbie) Cox, Cynthiana; Betty (Ed) Pariso, North Richland Hills, TX; Ann (Phyllis) Slade, Cynthiana; one son, Terry (Dee Ann) Slade, Frankfort; one sister Mary Lois Brunker, Cynthiana; one niece, Diane (Jim) Wilson, Cynthiana; and one nephew, Jerry (Ann) Brunker, Morehead; three grandchildren, Lacye Carmichael, Texas; Justin (Mallory) Carmichael, Texas; and Taylor Slade, Frankfort; and two great-grandchildren, James and Logan Carmichael, Texas. Funeral services will be 11am Thursday, March 28, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Mike Coppersmith and Dr. Timothy Teater. Burial will follow the service in the Battle Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jerry Brunker, Jim Wilson, Kenny Simpson, Randall Boyers, Jim Swinford, Billy Fowler, Jeff Kinney and James Carl Gray. The family will receive friends from 5-8pm Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church, and after 10am Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Abdell Cemetery Fund, 1490 Ammerman Pike, Cynthiana, KY 41031. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Drake-Whaley-McCarty Funeral Home. www.drakewhaleymccartyfuneralhome.com