John David Harding

JOHN DAVID HARDING
The man, the myth, the legend; John David Harding, joined his Heavenly Father, on January 6th, 2026. He lived 75 long years; full of life, love, and laughter. He was the husband of Katherine Louise Allen Harding, and they shared 56 long years together.
Born in Berea Hospital, he was the son of John Franklin Harding and Mary Elizabeth Thomas Harding. He was an accomplished carpenter, farmer, hunter, fisherman, gardener, and taxidermist. He was a Jack-of-all-trades. There was nothing he couldn't do and nothing he couldn't fix.
He was a member of Clear Creek Baptist Church but attended Scaffold Cane Baptist Church later in life. He was a Freemason and former Master Mason of Berea Masonic Lodge, 617.
David loved dancing, singing karaoke, fishing, and hunting, but these things pale in comparison to the joy that he had while spending quality time with his family. David was the heart and soul of his family.
He will be remembered for the love that he had for his family and friends and for the deep bonds he had with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The countless hours of laughter that he brought to his family will remain in some of their fondest memories. He never met a stranger. He also loved mushroom hunting, playing Rook, drawing, golfing, throwing horseshoes, and water skiing. He loved to have last minute cookouts and bonfires during the summer. He always had the swimming pool ready for the kids to enjoy. He loved watching westerns and Fox News. He loved candy and could snack on it all day.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Katherine Louise Allen Harding of Mount Vernon; three sons: Terry Wayne Harding of Mount Vernon, David Lee Harding of McKee, and Micheal Shane (Taylor) Cope of Clearwater Florida; two daughters: Karen Michelle Harding Barron (Billy) of Mount Vernon, and Fancy Harding of Mount Vernon; his grandchildren: Miranda Dannielle Harding Weaver (Josh) of Berea, Lindsay Katherine Harding of Cordova Alabama, Makensay Michelle Harding of Berea, Zacharey Tyler Harding (Desiray Sellars) of Mount Vernon, Elizabeth Ashley Barron Sparks (Cameron Sparks) of Mount Vernon, Katelyn Grace Barron of Mount Vernon, John Micheal Cope of Florida, Gabriel Cope of Richmond, and Catcher Cope of Clearwater Florida; his great grandchildren: Joshua Maddox Lee Weaver of Berea, Abigail Jericho Leann Weaver of Berea, John David Clay (Pete) Harding of Mount Vernon, Riley Elizabeth Rose Harding of Mount Vernon, and Emberlyn Reagan Aaliyah Harding of Mount Vernon; one brother: Perry (Phyllis) Harding; three sisters: Bonnie Lewis of London, Linda Martin of Berea, and Janice (Ronnie) Owens of Mount Vernon; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father: John Franklin Harding; his mother: Mary Elizabeth Thomas Harding; two brothers: Wayne Dudley Harding, and Paul Lee Harding; three sisters: Betty Jane Harding, Kathleen Harding Abney, and Esther Mae Harding Gay; one daughter-in-law: Carey Mae Smith Harding; one granddaughter: Rebecca Lynn Barron; and one great grandson: Braxton Ray Barron.
Visitation for John David Harding will be held Friday Jan. 9,2026 from 6-9 pm at Scaffold Cane Baptist Church. Masonic services will be observed on Friday evening at 7:45 pm at the church. Funeral Services will be Saturday Jan. 10, 2026, at 1 pm also at Scaffold Cane Baptist Church with Bro. James Hardin officiating. Burial will be at the Barron-Harding Cemetery.
Pall Bearers: Terry Wayne Harding, David Lee Harding, Micheal Shane Cope, Zacharey Harding, Billy Barron, Josh Weaver, Cameron Sparks, Lavan Evans.
Honorary Pall Bearers: Perry Harding, Trenton Harding, Benny Gay, Ronnie Owens, Doug Abney, John Harding, Timothy Harding, Blade Owens, JR Lear, Kenny Hylton, Patrick Gay, Tim Saylor, Richard Allen, Kemual Allen, and Greg Abney, Gene Martin, Jeff Martin, Boyd Lewis, Billy Cope, Bruce Waddles, George Clark, and Leon Clark. In lieu of flowers donations to assist the family are suggested to Lakes Funeral Home.