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John Harden Obituary
Colonel Harden died at the Presbyterian Home in Lexington on April 29, 2011. He was the eldest son of the late John Means and Kathleen Caldwell Harden, Jr. He was born in Winnsboro, SC on June 16, 1925. John served his country in the US Army during WWII in the European theater and later achieved the rank of Colonel. After WWII, John graduated from Davidson College where he majored in Psychology. After graduation he worked for Burlington Mills in Greenville, NC, Carolina Life Insurance Company, RL Bryan Company, and later retired from the Bridge Design Department of the South Carolina Highway Department. An enthusiastic supporter of the arts and history, John was a member and supporter of many organizations including the Drama Club, Columbia Museum of Art, the SC Philharmonic, the Fairfield County Historical Society, SC Historical Society, the Caroliniana Society, the English Speaking Union, the Military Order of World Wars and the Sons of the American Revolution.
Col. Harden is survived by a sister, Margaret Harden McLeod, of Summerville; sister-in-law, Betty Mayes Harden (Mrs. Joe C.) of Winnsboro; five nieces and nephews, Kathleen M. Gelzer ( Randall), Virginia M. Bales (Steve), the Reverend Dr. Cliff McLeod, Jr (Lisa), Carol H. House ( Jim), Elizabeth H. Baggott (Chris); and great nieces and nephews, Margaret G. Culclasure (Harry), Randall Gelzer, Jr (Maureen), Aaron Bales ( Liz), Jason Bales (Maureen), Cliff Hill McLeod Jr., Rob McLeod, Catherine McLeod, Kathleen House, Andrew House, Sarah Frances House, Lily Baggott; and special lifelong friends Commander David A. and Julie Epting, Jr.
John was predeceased by his brother, Joe C. Harden.
Memorials may be made to Sion Presbyterian Church, PO Box 556, Winnsboro, SC 29180.
Online condolences may be sent to the Harden family at www.popefuneralhomesc.com.
Pope Funeral Home is serving the Harden family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Harden
May 25, 2011
I was out tending my roses a few weeks ago and i recalled John told me of his Mr Lincoln roses, and how someone i believe a family member would not call them Mr Lincoln roses however renamed them General Lee or Grant.
I thought that was good story
Aaron Bales
May 14, 2011
Uncle John was a truly unique and outstanding man. I learned so much from him on our annual trips to the Carolinas. He was a treasure trove of family lore and always had great stories - especially when in the same room with Uncle Joe!
He preferred to be the punchline of his stories rather than the hero. I did not realize his military career was so distinguished, and enjoyed reading about his varied career.
Uncle John will be missed by many. I'm especially disappointed that my children won't get to learn from him the way I did.
May 9, 2011
i have known john for over 25 years. he was an elegant erudite person. we had numerous discussions about church, politics, civility and other important southern issues. was pleased to learn of his military career. he never mentioned it. i was curious how often he had a beautiful, blonde, intelligent companion. sig and i will miss him. charlie hyman
Mark Madison
May 7, 2011
May,11,2011
Colonel Thomas Taylor Chapter
Sons of the American Revolution
[email protected].
Past Chapter President
400 Lockner Road Columbia
South Carolina , Postal Code 29212
It grieves me greatly to hear of the passing of Compatriot, and dear friend, John Harden.
I will miss him greatly, as will the other men who shared a breakfast with John Harden every first Thursday of the month, the name of the breakfast group , ROMIO , real old men eating out, John was one to share many stories of WWII, as well as ,of the town he grew up in, as well, much history of South Carolina,
When my Father Read of the passing of John Harden, he recalled the time when he had taken me to the officers Club at fort Jackson.
It was times like that, that were special to me.
I will hold dear in my heart all the stories that John told, as well as , I learned so much from the man, who I knew to be, the truest of Southern Gentlemen,
I apologize that I was unable to attend the Funeral of John,
I send you my greatest of Condolences.
With Love,
Mark William Madison
Notary Public for the state of South Carolina
Past President , Col Thomas Taylor Chapter
Dr. Alexandru I. Petrisor
May 6, 2011
Words cannot describe what Mr. Harden meant and did for me. He was my family-away-from the family during my studies, and the key to understanding the American culture and its values. I could not have survived without his help, but in the end got to have a home-away-from-home through his kind and generous help. I will deeply miss him. My tears and prayers are with his family. May his memory be eternal!
May 5, 2011
May God rest his soul! We will dearly remember him and miss him. Andrei Caretnic, Columbia SC
William Bauer
May 3, 2011
I will miss John, he was a gentleman & a scholar. We had many interesting conversations on the history of Fairfield & Richland Counties at monthly breakfast meetings. My sincere sympathy to all of his family. William R. Bauer, Columbia, SC
Anne Cannon
May 3, 2011
John was a wonderful friend, always ready to lend a hand in any way he could. Beneath his elegant facade was a very frendly, funny man who truly loved life and knew how to enjoy it. He shall be missed in Opera Guild and the world is a better place for having had him in it. My thoughts are with the family in this time of loss.
Klaus Schuermann
May 3, 2011
We are sorry to hear about John's passing. We have very fond memories of him and of the Opera Guild in Columbia. Klaus and Helen (Vienna)
Trev and William Sherrod
May 3, 2011
Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Margaret G. Adams
May 1, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
May 1, 2011
John was such a fine man, always present in conversation and with assisting others. My husband and I enjoyed participating in many events together at Presbyterian College in Clinton and then through the Opera Guild of Greater Columbia, the Metropolitan Opera National Council SC District Auditions, SC Philharmonic events, and FBN and Opera USC performances. Our heartfelt prayers encircle his family at this time as we lovingly remember this shining star of a fellow.
Dr. John and Kathleen Vandekieft Wright
Columbia, South Carolina
Ina Gottlieb
May 1, 2011
I am so sorry about John's death. My husband and I enjoyed seeing him at Opera Guild and SC Philharmonic events. I teach with his niece Liz and did not realize the connection. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. I am sure he will be missed
April 30, 2011
Fond memories of John and his family in Winnsboro. Later enjoyed meals with him at Cornell Arms cafeteria near Carolina. He met my wife to be, Caroline, and sold me my first insurance policy. Caroline is kin to him through the Caldwells from Winnsboro.
John was a gentle and kind gentleman.
Jim and Caroline Haynes
April 30, 2011
I was saddened to note John's death. He and I served in the Army Reserves during the time that I was a graduate student in Columbia.
Mack Branham, Ret. Colonel, USAF
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