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Michael John Harding
Michael John Harding
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Mike was born May 20, 1946 in Flint, Michigan to John Richard and Virginia Lee (Moulton) Harding. A natural athlete; he played football, basketball and baseball throughout high school at Ainsworth and was voted the most valuable player, graduating in 1964. He played for Western Michigan baseball before transferring to Hillsdale College where he again excelled in all three sports and earned his bachelor's degree. He played semi-pro football for the Flint Wildcats. His passion continued throughout the rest of his life and he felt drawn to coach young athletes, teaching them not only performance within the sport but resilience and self-discipline. He was known as a coach for football, softball, baseball, and basketball at Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Durand High School. He was also involved in harness racing; owning, training and racing horses. He was the head of the Florida Standard Breeders and Owners Association. Quoted for his athletic career lasting more than half a century; he was inducted into the Ainsworth Hall of Fame, Greater Flint Hall of Fame in 2017 and Hillsdale Hall of Fame in 2018.
Mike is survived by his significant other and best friend, Joan Beth Tobias; children, Dustin Harding, Blaze (Melissa) Harding, and Cody (Courtney) Harding; grandchildren, Hawk Harding, Justice Harding, Hailey Harding, Hudson Harding, and Kennedy Harding; brothers, Ron (Lynn) Harding and Doug Harding. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Virginia Harding.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at https://pages.lls.org/voy/gr/gr23/codyharding, all donations will go to Team Legend - in honor of Mike "The Legend" Harding.
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5 Entries
Larry Munoz
January 27, 2025
In 1993 I moved from Flint, Mi to Deerfield Beach, FL. I moved into an apartment with a good friend I graduated with at Flint Southwestern HS. To a pleasant surprise, Mike and his three young sons at the time were living across the hall from us! What a wild coincidence we were all from Flint. We became friends immediately. Mike was sure dialed into the area and knew all the places. Funny, what a small world it is. He knew the same people I knew in Flint and my girlfriend at the time, he knew her family quite well, the Johnson's (Gene Johnson in particular). He was so full of life and was always active playing baseball/softball in the Ft. Lauderdale area. He invited me to Steamboat Springs, CO for his softball team's Triple Crown tournament. Wow what a blast that was! Very fun and unforgettable trip! He was the line dancing king out there. I think around that time I started my career in So Fla in 1994, he had moved back to Michigan with his kids, Blaze, Cody and Dustin. I retired a few years ago and I recently learned of Mike's passing. I felt compelled to express my sincere condolences to Mike's family and closest of friends. I never forgot him after all these years.
Keith alvord
April 17, 2023
Mike was a true sportsman and excellent athlete. I used to really enjoy playing sandlot football every Sunday morning with him and his brothers and cousins on their vacant lot next to their house back in the 60s. Also we all tried doing the Mike Harding no look pass in basketball, and we could never do it, in the same manner that Mike did, I was five years younger and we all looked up to Mike as a great mentor Keith ALVORD, Portage, Michigan
Denny Biller
April 10, 2023
Denny Biller
April 10, 2023
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Jack Haywood
April 6, 2023
From a dear friend. May you be with God. Jack Haywood.
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