We never thought of growing older. We lived in the moment. Now I'm old and grayed and tinier. Looking at this photo catapulted me back then. I was reckless and strong. Never worried about tomorrow. It seemed like a long time to come. Well here it is almost 2024. Jesus is coming back again. Daddy knew he was getting out of the coming turmoil we address daily.  Mama taught us about the Prince of Peace. We did more than just listen. Mike & Steven are the two boys in the photo. Today they are older men. I'm much older. People get ready. There's a slow train coming around the bend. The grass is greener on the other side.

This fish made up for his humble beginnings.

Today is my daddy's birthday. He used to take me to Metrol1na Speedway all the time. He gave me a couple of dollars and I told them I was under 12. After years the lady at the ticket booth said..."Don't you think that it's time for you to start paying seeing as you've been under 12 for years now!" So I agreed and began paying. They changed the age limit afterwards. But for many years  I was "The Metrol1na Kid". Best racing ever. My favorite time of my life. Riding to the track with daddy I would sing to the songs on the radio. He would just look at me like I was crazy and ask me how I knew all the lyrics to every song. I didn't want to tell him I had won 1st place at Freedom Park in a potato sack race at a political rally event and my prize was a large Fm/Am transistor radio that I played secretly under my pillow every night until time for school. Fm was a new thing at that time in the 60s. But I kept it on Am because it didn't sign off the air at midnight. The only time I turned it down was when "Yellow Submarine" played. 

Dad's birthday is coming up and it's sad not to be able to hear him on the phone going..."Hey boy." The last time we spoke on the phone I asked how was the fishin' goin'. He answered..."My fishin' days are over."  We ate a lotta fish he caught. And daddy caught a bunch. 

My dad raised me up on auto racing. We sat at Spindal City, Concord, Metrol1na and other dirt tracks and many Charlotte Motor Speedway events. NASCAR racing was a bond we shared. MRN radio played perpetually. We watched dirt track racers become the elite of auto racers. I saw the greatest legendary racers of the eras. Daddy's first car as a teenager was a former "Thunder Road" runner. He was a bona fide southern Dixieboy and never compromised his Cramerton, North Carolina roots. He was a true Dale Earnhardt fan for many years long before Dale became of any prominent status. Nobody that I know fished with such dedication as he did with the exception of his father-in-law Rev. Ray Collins and son David Ray Auten. He excelled at math so in Dominos he was prolific. He was a table king at ping pong.  He had  uncanny strength and fortitude. He was not politically correct nor one to ever compromise his beliefs. He was a patriotic American. He was a hard worker. He was not perfect by any means but he was someone that recognized his faults. He was loved by many. I was his abrasive child who gave him a run for his money! We didn't see eye to eye on everything but we both stood our ground and found our way around. I am his DNA and I wear his name. He married a preacher's daughter. I had parents that raised four of us. Kathy,Harold Jr.,David,Rebecca. He is missed.  "THANK YOU" to everyone that shared your thoughts here.  

I  come here every once in a while to read my Daddy's messages. What a wonderful surprise to read the message from Ashley Silva. 
I have often wondered who lives in Daddy's house now.
It's so good to know that a sweet family has made it their home.
Thank you for wanting to put flowers on Dad's resting place. 
That was very kind of you.
He is not there..we brought him back home with us in NC. 
Daddy's flounder "Snowie" hung on the wall in your living room for many years. He too is back home with us in NC. 
We had lots of good times with much laughter in your home over the years with Daddy.
I hope that you all will be blessed with many happy & healthy years there as well. 
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a sweet &  thoughtful message. 
And thank you for making Daddy's house~a home again.
Best wishes!
From Harry's family❤
 

Harold I don't know , I've never even got the chance to meet you but I live your house with my two boys & My husband & I just want to say I feel your presence & you're completely welcome to stay ❤️.  My grandfather is laid to rest where you are but I went to put flowers down for you and there was no grave site . My husband loves your record for the flounder & We are so thankful to make your house into a home again ❤️. 

Daddy, it's been almost five months now that we have been without hearing your sweet voice. Hey O Girl. . Seems like it was just yesterday we we're talking on the phone. I remember our conversation well. And in less than a month you we're in heaven. I'm so glad papa that we have that assurance .  I miss you , we all do so very much.  Just wanted to come in here again and say Daddy I love you with all my heart and can't wait to see you again. Until that time I'll say Mizpah...Nite Nite. I love you daddy.

Its different so different without you! I miss being able to call at anytime and argue about anything. It was especially hard during Idol and CMT awards.  Miss you and love you I guarantee!

I love you and miss you so much even though I didn't get to see you very often. I'll never forget the laughs we shared over the years! Or the conversations about life, karate, fishing, Nascar, and all the stories you shared with me. Every single time we talked you were so cheerful and positive. I will miss your voice until that sweet day when we reunite and I hear you say "Hey boy!". I thank God for you and I thank God for healing you by opening the gates to his kingdom and welcoming you home! Until we meet again I love you and mizpah Grandpa!

Thank you everyone who left such kind words on my Daddy's guest book. I loved reading each and every one of them...they touched my heart...and were very healing to my hurting soul.
I miss you Daddy...see you again...soon..
~Becker

I never got to meet Mr Harold Wayne Auten but knew him through Becky and Dale his daugher and son-in-law- I missed getting to meet this wonderful man that always got praise from his  dautgher and son-in-law, so wish I could have one of those fishing trips with ya'll- RIP Mr Auten- I  know you are smiling in heaven-

I am going to miss Harold greatly.
He was always good to me. I thank him for our 4 children and for all of our Grandchildren & for our Great Grandchildren. He was the last remaining child of 9 children. His family always treated me as one of their very own. I have many sweet memories of years gone by that I will forever cherish. I miss them all and I look forward to that sweet day when we will all be reunited on streets of gold... see you then Harold.

Uncle Harold and my dad, Glenn Auten, were brothers and shared a birthday (and a sense of humor). Even though my dad has been gone a long time and I didn't get to see Uncle Harold as much as I would have liked over the years, I always thought of them both each year on January 23. My sister, Jane, and I always had so much fun at Uncle Harold and Aunt Katherine's house with all our cousins, Kathy, Boobie, David, and Becky. I know how much you all will miss him, and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. 

Glenda Auten Burch

Well we are back home and I must say going to Florida will never be the same. You will always be my friend and my second dad. You always treated me like I was always one of your own. You allowed me to marry your little girl and I hope I was always the man you expected me to be to her. I will never forget the many fishing days we spent either on the beach or up on the pier to witness the gift of fishing that God gave you. No matter how bad a day of fishing it was you always would be the one to pull them in. I'm going to miss hearing that infamous....Last Cast....coming from you, and no matter how much it would about drive me insane I'm pretty sure I'm going to miss the many debating arguments you, Becky and in the later years Mike and Tree would have. You were a mans man and lived a Simple mans Life. I glad and Thank God you were a part of my life and I will never forget you. You will always live in my Heart and Memories. I Love you

My Name is Richard Gallamore, I live in Greenville SC,

 My Air Force friend Robert Hall, who lives in Jacksonville,
 introduced me to Harold Auten about 10 years ago,
We went Surf fishing and I have loved him ever since. He was So much Fun,
He was very friendly, kind, and such a humor that kept me laughing all the time,
His birthday was the same as mine, Jan 23 and I would call him and to wish him a happy birthday, and he would say the same to me. 
and then he would start talking and bright up my day and always made me smile.
My last phone call with him, about 2 weeks ago, before his Birthday, I said to him,
Harold I would like to come back and visit Robert again and for us to go surf fishing again,
He said, Richard, I would like that but, "my fishing days are over", and we talked more.
and I said that I would miss the fun we had fishing.
and I hope to see you later.
I remember Harold and will miss him very much.
Richard

I only met you once I believe. I was a little girl but your smile to me was precious. RIP Mr. Auten and know that I will pray daily for your daughters, sons, love of your life, grands and great grands. Thank you for being the father of my precious Aunt Kathy she was the angel the Lord used to lead me to salvation and that started with you my precious friend.

I will miss you greatly!! You have been the the best neighbor any one could ask for. I will miss looking over and seeing you sit on the front porch and enjoying the sunshine on you're face, you always had a warn hello and smile!!!! And I always new you were going to have a great day when I would see you and Bob loading up to go fishing I know how much you loved fishing.You will be looking down on us now saying I caught the big one today!!! I will think of you often and miss you.

Uncle Harold , your laughter resignates within my heart. Your warm smile and tremendously awesome hugs is what I remember most. Fishing with you on the shores of Carolina Beach NC with daddy were great times .I never knew that sand fiddlers made good bait until you told me and you and I digging up some. I remember fishing with you and I caught a really nice size blue fish and you were more exited than I was but you let me reel it on in.  Fishing with you and my daddy are some of my greatest memories. Now I can see y'all fishing in the  Crystal river together.  Till we meet again? I love you and will carry you in my heart till we are all together again . Hug my daddy for me.  
         Aunt Katherine, Bobbie ( Tina Wendy, Larry) , Kathy Jo ( Mikey, Tree, Steven,  Cindy &  baby) , David, (Dee , Trent , Kyndal), Becky (Dale , Robert) Todd,  you are all in my thoughts and prayers I love you all very much!  May God 's peace and love comfort you and guide you in the seconds , minutes, hours, days, weeks and years to come as you face life on earth without him. Big hugs to everyone!

I miss you greatly Papa, we ripped countless fish lips together for many years and shared many good times together. I wouldn't change a thing and I know you wouldn't have either. Until we meet again.

I have some great memories of times with Uncle Harold and Aunt Katherine. In particular, I recall a very rambunctious 1960's sleepover where Uncle Harold zipped Kathy's head outside a tent in the pouring down rain and then we watched extremely scary movies which kept me awake for several days. :) Uncle Harold shared a birthday with his brother Glenn, who was my Dad, and I know my Dad loved him very much. From all I have seen here, it is clear that Uncle Harold was well-loved by all of you. I know you will miss him greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jane Auten Mayhew

Caught ya!!!!  Hahahaha....Boobie wanted me to write that.  You know what that was about.  I didn't see you in this life very often, but the times I was around you, you were so much like my own dad and it was ironic how much you are like my dad.  I will see you again one sweet day and then I can go fishing with you in the crystal river (if you can keep me out of it from swimming in it).  Love you daddy-in-law.....until we meet again.

That was supposed to be hearts not question marks on my last message! You will be greatly missed! We all love you! Catch A Big One For Us! ;) <3

in remeberance of a great neighbor of over 20 years. He will be sadly missed. Heartfelt condolances to his family and frinds.

My dear sweet Papa. I love you so very much. Words can't begin to express how much I will miss you. A piece of my heart is gone with you. Love you always!

I will miss you.... Our many debates about how to fish, life, politics, how real men eat hot foods, driving fast in circles, golf, Jags, oysters and so much more.....

Grandpa, you were one of my best friends! I will be lost with out you, but I must share you with our maker because he shared you with me!!! I love you. I must mention food as always, please break bread with Jesus our eternal insurance!!

Love You! ???? You Will be greatly missed! We all love you!

I hoped l'd never ever have to experience this day. When Becky called me at 5:30 am my heart raced. I knew it wasnt going to be  good news . It was you papa. You have left the confines of your painful hurting body and made that beautiful journey to your new home in Heaven. Oh how joyful must you be. How light you must feel with the pain and weariness forever removed from you tired and weary body. I see you papa encircled in such love as you have never known. Surrounded by all awaiting your arrival. Knowing the love of God through and through. I love you Daddy. I Will see you some glad morning, some glad day. With all my love and thanks for being my Papa. My daddy . Love and Mizpah Kathy Jo'Ann.

Thank you Dad.... For always understanding, listening, caring, and loving me your whole life. The greatest gift God gave me was YOU........ my Dad... It's difficult to let you go but I must... I must return the gift God gave me... Till then; See you in Heaven....David Ray

OBITUARY

Harold Wayne Auten Sr.

23 January, 1937 – 20 January, 2015

Hardage - Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery

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