LeeRoy Clifton Harding

LeeRoy was born on May 23,1927 in Oklahoma City, OK to Fred C. Harding and Georgia Tague-Harding. He died peacefully in his sleep on May 18, 2024, in Edmond, OK at the home of his stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Mike and M Sanders.

LeeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, two sons; Bill Harding and LeeRoy (aka Tink) Harding II, two stepsons; Jesse Tecumseh and Paul Combs, and his wife; Velma Ruth (Ward) Harding.

He is survived by his daughter, Teresa (Larry) Hamlin, his stepchildren; Dee-Dee (Andy) Bensinger, Kathryn (Jack) Dawson, Ruth Stapp, M (Mike) Sanders, Ward (Amy) Combs, Cairlyn Combs and Wayne (Tina) Combs, a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren.

LeeRoy graduated from Central High School, Oklahoma City, in 1948. He enjoyed going to “Cardinal” annual reunions.

He served in the US Army from 1945 to 1947 in the European Theatre of WWII. He received the Army of Occupation Medal and the Victory Medal for his service.

When he returned from Europe, he worked for the Oklahoma City Fire Department for 20 years from 1948 to 1968. At the time of his death, LeeRoy was the oldest living OKC Firefighter Retiree. He earned the nickname “SPUD” for his love of firehouse potatoes.

He then worked for Oklahoma County for 20 years when he finally “retired.”

LeeRoy enjoyed the flowers in his yard, fishing, cooking, dancing and going on “senior bus trips” with his wife, Velma. He was loved and enjoyed by many friends, neighbors, and family members. He will be missed.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Bill Merritt Funeral Home, 6201 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK @ 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024. We will be celebrating both his birth (it would be his 97th birthday!) and his homegoing. You can watch live at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c24052577971310

In lieu of flowers consider a contribution to a charity of your choice or to the COMMITTEE OF 100 OKC, a charity serving the dependents of fallen first responders and active duty first responders in the OKC metro area. LeeRoy was a member of this organization. [https://committeeof100ok.org/donation/]