We celebrate the passing of Harold James Debenham, as he glides smoothly into the heavens to meet his maker, his loved ones, and his family members who will be there to welcome him into their celestial home.
Harold passed away into his eternal home on May 19, 2020. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, December 20, 1924, to Harold Larter Debenham and Nellie Draisey (Atkinson) Debenham. He had three sisters: Luana, Beverly and Nellie Jean, and two brothers: Everett and Steven. He is survived by his beloved wife Lois Lorraine (Bradley) Debenham, sister Nellie Jean Staten, 7 children: Hadd Patrick Debenham and his wife Kathie, Terry Kay Debenham, Shauna Dawn (Debenham) and husband William Conant, Steven Craig Debenham and wife Debi, Holly Brooke (Debenham) Gould, stepdaughter Teresa Lorraine Todd-Smith and husband Kevin Smith, and stepson Mark Allen Todd and wife Janet. Harold was blessed with 22 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren.
Harold graduated from Granite High School, in Salt Lake City, Utah in the class of 1943. He then enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps. His military service included World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. After graduating from pilot school class 44K, he was further trained as an Aircraft Performance Engineer. Harold obtained the rank of Master Sergeant while serving 8 years as a Flight Engineer on B-29 aircraft. During the Korean War, he was called as a 2nd Lt and transferred to Yokota AFB, Japan, where he served as the Aircraft Performance Engineer for the 98th Bomb Wing. He was part of the briefing team for all bomber flights departing from Japan. The team briefed the crews on the takeoff order, the takeoff time, the route to follow, the target, the enemy installations, the ground fire locations (flak), the weather in route, the enemy fighter locations, and the alternate air fields, in case of aircraft damage. Harold was responsible for calculating fuel loads, bomb loads, airspeed, power settings and flight altitudes that the B-29 formation was to maintain. This briefing team had the honor of briefing the last bomber flight in the Korean War. The Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.
After returning to the USA, Harold was assigned to the 325th Bomb Squadron 92nd Bomb Wing, Fairchild AFB, in Spokane, Washington. He was assigned as a crew member of a B-36 crew and later a B-52 crew. He retired at Castle AFB, in California, June 1, 1966, as a Major, an instructor pilot, and B-52 Aircraft Commander. His medals and awards include: the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf cluster, the WWII Victory Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Korean Service Medal.
Harold completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Education, with honors, in the class of 1968 at Eastern Washington College. He taught Industrial Art, Metal Shop, Electronics, Drafting, and Driver's Education, at East Valley High School, from 1968 to 1986. He also developed the Driver’s Education Program for the Plummer Worley School District. His dedication as a teacher was unparalleled.
Harold and Lois together built their home on Coeur d’Alene Lake, Cottonwood Bay, Idaho where they entertained family and friends until they sold the home on the lake, and moved to the Spokane Valley in 1999. Harold served as a Counselor to three Branch Presidents in the Plummer Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He also pursued his passion for documenting the genealogy of his family line and was a dedicated Family History Consultant for 35 years. This stoic, build-anything man will be incredibly missed.
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