Harold "Hezz" L. Harrington

He was born in 1950, when his family was living in Central Iowa. They moved to Eastern Iowa in the early 1950's, arriving in Cedar Rapids in 1957. Hezz attended schools on the NE side of town, graduating from Kennedy Sr. High in 1969. From 1967-1969, he performed as a founding member and drummer for the first show choir west of the Mississippi, "Happiness, Inc."

After high school, Hezz attended N.E. Missouri State University, receiving both his BSE and MA

degrees (1974, 1975). He worked as a social worker, educator, and mental health therapist in

Iowa and Minnesota throughout his career.

His first marriage in 1974, produced two daughters, Jenn (Troy) Penke and Kate Harrington.

Through Jenn he has two grandchildren, Mitchell and Kendra. His second marriage was to

Vickie in 2003, in Cedar Rapids where they dated and lived together for 21 years. This past

summer they relocated to Wichita, KS to be closer to her family. Through her he has three

stepsons, Jeremiah, Henry, and Nathan Tafolla of Wichita, KS. Through them he had seven

grandchildren, Mike, Jessica, Jacob, Jonas, Selah, Olivia, and Isaac.

Hezz was stricken with Lyme Disease in 1986, but went undiagnosed for over two years. Even

after treatment, the physical conditions triggered by the infection left him increasingly debilitated

and in constant pain. This impacted every waking moment of his life. Any movement was

excrutiating. Peace came only in sleep. In spite of that, those close to him had the opportunity to

gain from his wide and varied interests and experiences, as well as a "slightly-off-kilter" sense of

humor. Additionally, Hezz strongly believed in the Mark Twain adage, "Always do right...it will

gratify some and astonish the rest!"

Preceding him in death were his parents and brother, father and mother-in-law, close friends

Ray Ferris, Norm and Lorna Hanson, Vern Feuerhelm, and Nick Longworth.

Hezz would like to thank his family, friends, and physicians for their support and care.

Per Hezz's wishes no services will be held.

Memorials may be made to the family.

As Hezz often said, "Life is too important to be taken too seriously."

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Harrington family.