Jeffrey D Harding

If you are reading this, I must have graduated. I was born on Thursday, November 28, 1957, spoiling my mother's Thanksgiving dinner, to Lititia Rae Dunn and Ralph Eugene Harding, with whom I am currently having a glorious reunion celebration. I was their second child of 6 - four boys and two girls. I died February 1, 2026, from complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

I grew up in Washington Terrace along with hundreds of other baby boomers. One could not throw a proverbial rock without hitting a house full of kids to play with. I attended Weber County schools, graduating from Bonneville High School in 1976. After Serving a mission for the Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Canada Montreal Mission, I graduated from Weber State College with a degree in Broadcast Communications (I was going to be the next Dick Norse).

During my senior year of high school, I met an extremely cute girl, upon whom I had a major crush, named Karen Jean Hall. I was too shy and awkward to ask her out in high school, but a chance meeting four years after graduation allowed me to correct that error. We were married on March 20, 1981, during spring break, in Ogden, Utah by Karen's brother, Bishop Alan Hall and sealed in the Ogden Temple on our first anniversary.  Karen and I made our home in Riverdale and had many wonderful adventures during our marriage, a few of them will be shared below, so keep reading!

I loved the theater, both as an observer and a participant. It all started when I played Judd Fry in Weber State's Summer Theater production of Oklahoma! I appeared in a handful of plays and Karen, and I have seen a hundred or so productions over the years passing our love of the theater on to our posterity!

I had the amazing opportunity to serve as the assistant director of Curling during the 2002 Olympics held in Salt Lake City. I worked every day during the Olympics at the Ice Sheet in Ogden and enjoyed getting to know some of the athletes while I attended to their needs.

I have worked at a plethora of jobs in my life. I spent a summer in Nevada working for some hay contractors and in Hawaii picking pineapples during high school. I graduated from college during the Reagan era recession and took a government job at the IRS for the security, only to be downsized during the Clinton administration's government downsizing. My next job was as marketing manager for Washington County Recreational Facilities which lasted until the economy went to pot after the 9/11 terrorist attack and rather than raise taxes, they abolished my position. After a few months of unemployment, my good friend and mentor, Kathleen Sparrow, had an opening for a marketing manager at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center and Peery's Egyptian Theater. Two years later I was hired by Washington County to market sports and events. I finished my career spending 15 years as the Director of Operations for the Huntsman World Senior Games. The last two jobs gave me the opportunity to travel the world, including 15 days in Germany, promoting Washington County and the Games!

After I retired, I started volunteering at the St. George Regional Hospital at the information desk in building 6- 3 days a week. I met so many wonderful people during my 2 years. I really enjoyed giving fist bumps to the kids and hugs to anyone who wanted one.

I have a strong testimony of and loved serving in my church. I served in two bishoprics and on one high counsel. My favorite church assignment was helping my wife with her callings. (I have been to girl's camp 10 or so times.) I have worked in every auxiliary in the church, Karen and I were involved with the Self Reliance program as facilitators, and stake coordinators until my health deteriorated to the point that I could no longer fulfill the calling. Karen and I have taught primary for the past 5 years. Okay, for the last 3 years Karen has taught and I've smiled a lot.

My family is very important to me! We have tried to diligently share our values with our children and grandchildren. We love hiking, camping, skiing and most any outdoor adventure. Our children and grands have been raised the same way. I may be guilty of pride, but I was so proud of our youngest grandson rappelling solo at age four!

Karen and I have one child, Leslie Ann (Josh) Johnson. Karen brought two more children to the family. Billy (Nicole) Farris and Randee Davidson. I am survived by my siblings, Doug (Jean), Bruce (Cindy), Scott (Page), Karen Hassell and Mary Anne (Jeff) Ogden, my children and grandchildren - Billy's family: Koy, Crew, Marley and Maddie; Randee's children: Siera, London, Seth, Miles, and Seven; and Leslie's family: Braxton, Boston, Annabelle, Brooklyn and Bridger. And more cousins, nieces and nephews than you could shake a stick at.

Preceding me to the grand celebration are my parents, my in-laws, Eugene and Joyce Hall, a grandson, Taylor, a niece, Danielle, several cousins, aunts and uncles.

AS my health deteriorated, I chose to be positive and upbeat. I started creating positive short videos and posting them on social media under the name Grandma's Crew. I would like to thank my medial team: Dr. Danny Worwood, Dr. Colby Calahan, Dr. Luciana De Saibro and therapists Arndreke Armstrong and Sedina Bitton and the team at Southern Utah Hospice; including Liz, Shantell, Dr. Radley, April, Daniel, Christina, Logan and Sierra for their support during my last years. A special thank-you to my primary caregiver, my sweet Karen!!  Also, my loyal companion to the end Yuki.

I would like to invite you to my sendoff party, AKA my funeral service on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Heritage LDS Ward Chapel, 1178 South 700 West, Hurricane, Utah. A viewing will be held, Friday, February 6, from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., both at the chapel. 1178 S 700 W Hurricane, Utah.  Interment will be in the Hurricane City Cemetery. Until we meet again, remember to live long and prosper!

Services can be view via https://zoom.us/j/95025205291?pwd=6JbCQZAIkXz1cL5I4cJqDfu2y0sJCK.1

Use Zoom Pass code - 077631