Donald Ray Harding passed away Thursday morning October 17, 2019 while resting peacefully at home. Don was born on December 11, 1940 in Groveton, Texas to Ernest & Jesse Harding, the 9th of 10 children. In 1958, at the age of 18 he moved to Houston where he began his career at Oak Forest Bank (1958 – 1975). On July 18, 1959 he married his high school sweetheart and best friend Merilyn LaJuan Davis. In 1961 he and LaJuan welcomed the 1st of 4 children into the world. Don was a devoted family man and father, always there for his wife and children. From 1976 – 1998 he worked at Merchants Bank and in 1998 he, along with Marilyn Word, Gerry Monzingo & Patti Stewart founded 1st Choice Bank. Next to his family, the opening of 1st Choice Bank stood out as one of Don’s proudest moments. He was a member of Candlelight Church of Christ, served on the Board of Directors at Doctors Hospital and volunteered for numerous charities including The Boys Scouts of America, Oaks Dad’s Club, Heights Chamber of Commerce as well as others.
He is preceded in death by both parents, brothers Everett “Big Bubba”, Robert “Sonny” & wife Ellen, James “Buzz” and sisters Tennie Harding, Ernie Fraser, Lucille & husband Freddie Fredrick, Joy & husband Earl Wendt and Lynn & husband Harold Kapalski
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years LaJuan, sons Keith Harding & wife Alison, Kevin Harding & wife April, Kyle Harding & wife Sandy, daughter Kim Thompson and David Noker, grandchildren Aaron Harding & wife Magan, Taryn Day & husband Justin, Brandon Harding, Kandis Harding, Lindsey Harding, Kelsie Thompson, Kylie Thompson, Kalyn Fuentes & husband Miquel, Shelbi Thompson-Riley, Shaylea Thompson-Riley along with great grandchildren Jaxon Harding, Blaise Harding, Lucas Day, Vivian Day, Parker Harding, brother Newt Harding & wife Vikki, sisters in law Lea Vonne Wetuski, Geneva Harding, Edith Harding and numerous nieces & nephews.
The family would like to thank Flora Brown and Hazel Holman for their loving care as well as the Hospice Plus Care Team.
Pallbearers will be Ron Kapalski, Mike Pavlik, Jay McKinzie, Jimmy McQuillen, Bill Sellers, William Truss, Horace Davis & Jim Worthing.
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