Ralph Jenkins Harding

Ralph Jenkins Harding Jr. ODESSA-Ralph Jenkins Harding Jr. (Bud) passed away Sept. 10, 2015, following a short illness. Bud, 91, was born May 16, 1924, in Grande Ronde, Ore., the second child of nine. Bud proudly served his country during World War II as a PFC in the 38th infantry in New Guinea. Following the war he returned home to Oregon opening a restaurant with his best friend. It was here that Bud met and married the love of his life, Mary Lucille Ham of Lubbock Texas. They moved to Lubbock in 1948, where they had a wonderful life, and raised two boys. During his life he spent his free time with his wife and boys, enjoying the outdoors - camping, mountain stream fishing, hunting, and working on the Lake Brownwood home while everyone else played. Bud was heavily involved with his boys and their activities. Bud was an extremely hard working, personable individual who never met a stranger or missed an opportunity to help out his neighbor. Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille on April 3, 1993, and seven of his siblings. Bud is survived by his two sons, Ralph Jenkins Harding III and his wife, Ginger of Odessa, Texas, and Stephen Layne Harding and his wife, Tammie of Azle, Texas; plus six grandkids; and six great-grandkids. Visitation will begin Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, from 1 to 9 p.m. at Odessa Funeral Home with a family gathering from 4 to 6 p.m. Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, in City Of Lubbock Cemetery with Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Services with Odessa Funeral Home. In Lieu of Flowers Family requests donations to be made to Permian Basin Honor Flight (which honors local Veterans).