Harold Garrard

Harold Edward Garrard left this life on Nov. 11, 2020 at the age of 92. He was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma to Theo Garrard and Nancy Jane (McCurley) Garrard on May 9, 1928. 

Harold served his country in the United States Army and was later employed at Tinker Air Force Base as a sheet metal mechanic for 31 years. He enjoyed fishing and watching his grandkids and great grandkids play baseball, football, softball, and basketball. He was a huge OU sports fan, especially football.

The sweetest man has been taken home to Jesus. We are so thankful for Pop’s life and his 92 years of selfless service of others. He was one of a kind for sure. You never had to beg him to be anywhere, he just always showed up. You could call him at any time of day or even show up at his house at any time of day and he welcomed you with open arms. There was never anything you couldn’t ask him for and most of the time he was giving it before you even asked. His family knows that if anybody deserves a new, glorified body, it was Pop.

Heaven gained a saint of a man. Never will we ever forget the times we’ve had with Pop. He had so much love and pride for his family as we do for him. Their happiness was the most important thing to him, as long as they were happy, he was happy. You would probably know the names and ages of all his kids/grandkids/great grandkids within 30 minutes of first meeting him. He loved to follow them around to their various activities and events. He never wanted to miss a thing and made us all feel so special.

We will all miss his laugh. He would laugh so hard sometimes he would cry and then you couldn’t help but laugh till you cried too. We will all miss his stories even the ones we heard 20 times or more. He was one of the wisest men we’ve ever known and are so thankful and blessed he was our Pop.

He never met a stranger and he always welcomed everyone with open arms. Anyone that ever met him was suddenly sharing life stories with him. And if someone passed by he could tell you a lot about them. Often he would tell you about some struggle they were going through and that he was praying for them. The whole state of Oklahoma must be remembering him and praying for him now.

Pop passed away on Veteran’s day, a day honoring him and his years of service. Pop may have served his country well, but he served his family even better. He loved his country, his family, and his God with all of his heart, much like we loved him.

The love of Harold’s life is Betty. They were married for 66 years. She was the first person on his mind when he woke up in the morning, the person on his mind before he fell asleep.

Mr. Garrard was preceded in death by his parents, Theo and Nancy Garrard; siblings, Letha Bill Melton, Marie Munguia, Louise McKee, and twins, Theo Garrard and Cleo Journey, Trudy Mary Lou Garrard, and William Mac Garrard.

Mr. Garrard is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Betty Garrard, of the home; daughters: Peggy Spencer and husband Norman of Durant, Okla., Brenda Crow and husband Ray of Durant, Okla.; son, Ted Garrard and wife Sherri of Blanchard, Okla.; grandsons: Cody Spencer and wife Leslie of Bokchito, Okla., Nick Spencer and wife Amanda of Durant, Okla., Josh Spencer and wife Shi of Duncan, Okla., Brad Stevenson and wife Maegan of Sherman, Texas, Blake Garrard and wife Trisha of Blanchard, Okla., Cory Garrard and wife Josie of Blanchard, Okla., granddaughter, Sara Stevenson of Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren: Rachel Spencer, Sam Spencer, Peyton Spencer, Ian Spencer, Jaxon Spencer, Caynon Spencer, Brantly Garrard, Jake Garrard, and Reiley Stevenson; brothers: Jackie Ray Garrard and wife Janet, Bill Davenport and wife Kay, Don Davenport, and Jim Davenport and wife Donna.

Family hour will be from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 at the Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 at Calvary Baptist Church in Durant, Okla. with Bro Anthony Williams officiating. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Calera, Oklahoma. His pallbearers will be Gary Davenport, Randy Davenport, Bryan Davenport, Johnny Garrard, John Davenport, Randy Harrell, Nolan Davenport, and Philip Boehme. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold’s grandchildren.

The service will be available for viewing on our FB page via live stream.

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma www.holmescoffeymurray.com

9204 Comments

  1. Fred Broder says:

    I used to go to Church with Harold and Betty. Wonderful people. Harold was always laughing and joking, and very pleasant to be around. He was a good friend and brother in the Lord.