In memory of Uncle Harold

Uncle Harold with his prize winning team, Ted and Pat

We lost a very dear man this past week... my Great Uncle Harold. It seems that ALL of us grew up knowing and admiring Uncle Harold..... across the generations. From my father, his siblings and cousins - to my generation all the way to the generation of my own children. For them, he was a great-great uncle. Yet, we all had a special relationship with him.... isn’t that amazing? I think it was a testament to his powerful personality.

Uncle Harold visiting with Anna and James 

Uncle Harold with Jackson

Harold with Charles, Jack, and Marvin

Harold with Mitch, Charles, and Marvin

Daddy with Uncle Harold

I know my personal memories of Uncle Harold center around his pulling horse team, Ted and Pat. Growing up we followed him around the midwest to many pulling horse events. Harold always knew how to make a grand entrance. I have vivid memories of watching him drive onsite in his big red dually pickup pulling that huge horse trailer behind. I had never seen anything like it - so grand and BIG! That horse trailer was my secret haven. Uncle Harold would often let me hang out in the living quarters (complete with a kitchen and dining booth) to read my books. That made me feel very special, indeed.

Uncle Harold and Laura

However, I was just as drawn to the stands to sit and watch him with his team of horses, Ted and Pat. They were world famous! Uncle Harold put on a great show - talking to his team, making adjustments, never pushing them too much - always just enough... to WIN! I was fascinated with his horsemanship.

Uncle Harold with Ted and Pat - world champion pulling horse team

Harold was a big, strapping man - so strong. He was still working on the farm well into his 80’s - even working with his team of pulling horses. 

Uncle Harold out on the farm with his team - at the age of 83.

A few years ago my Daddy, Uncle Charles and Uncle Mitch decided to help spruce up Harold’s barn. His barn had always been a show- stopper with big letters proclaiming the name of the farm. But, the letters had fallen into disrepair. The 3 of them worked together and hand made new letters for the barn. It was a great day when they were able to see them placed on the barn again. Harold, always up for a joke, even posed at the bottom of the ladder with a drill in his hand - looking as though HE had just come down from putting up the new sign. :) (Just another days work for this 89 year old!) 

Harold 'finishing putting up the sign.'  ;D

Jackson at Harold's farm

When I grew up and married a horseman of my own, I was proud to introduce him to my Uncle Harold. Harold took to Marvin immediately and recognized a kindred spirit - a true fellow horseman. Marvin recently began to join with my father and 2 uncles for their annual weekend camping and riding horses on Harold’s farm. Marvin became “one of the boys” as Harold called them. 

the day Harold and Marvin first met - 2/20/94

Harold had a long, full life - 91 years. We last saw him just two weeks before he passed away and he was not the same man we knew.... that was a painful visit, but it helped in letting him go. We will always remember and love that big, strong horseman - our beloved Uncle Harold.

3 Comments
Amy
I'm sorry for your loss. What great memories and beautiful pictures you have of him!
Monday, March 10, 2008 - 03:33 AM

Yvonne
You mentioned the change in Uncle Harold that helped you let him go. It rung a chord in my heart as I've been thinking about my Nanna recently. My great-grandma passed away years ago, but she too, changed in such a way that I wanted her to be free with the Lord. God is good to ready our hearts. He prepares us all for
eternity. Just pondering this morning...

Your words are full of love and fondness. Thanks for sharing.
Monday, March 10, 2008 - 09:54 AM

kathy in Wa
Great pictures! So sorry for your loss.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 03:12 AM