Harold D Basnett

Harold Dale Basnett, 85, was born October 8, 1925 in Lebanon, MO to Amos Harmon and Pearl May (Saunders) Basnett. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Colorado when the family farm in Missouri could no longer support the many children and growing families living on it. He and his brothers did odd jobs around Boulder and the surrounding mountain communities; from mining, to truck hauling, ice and milk delivery, railroad work and whatever else they could find to help bring in the bacon. The family was large with 10 boys altogether. Can I just say, poor Grandma!

Harold served in the Philippines and Japan during WWII. He was a B.A.R. (Browning Automatic Rifle) man in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1946.

He married Letha Lucille Lappin in April of 1948 and they were married for forty-eight years, until her death in 1996. They raised four daughters and were foster parents to about 30 babies. Harold spent the majority of his working life in construction and excavation. He was a backhoe operator until his retirement in 1989. Since retirement, he has enjoyed traveling throughout Colorado and nearby states, camping and puttering at home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, all his brothers and his wife. He is survived by his daughters: Daletha Fay Basnett of Montrose, Joyce Ann Garcia of Arvada, Wanda Lea Johnston and Gail Lynne Miller both of Aztec, NM as well as six grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 1 PM on Monday, August 1, 2011 at Mountain View Memorial Park in Boulder. A reception will follow the service at Crist Mortuary.

Please share thoughts, memories, and condolences with the family at www.cristmortuary.com