Harding was born July 13, 1942 in Toronto, Canada to Leslie and Marjorie Goodman. When Harding was 12 the family immigrated to the United States to settle in Colorado. He graduated from Cedaredge High School in Cedaredge, Colorado in 1959. Upon returning from 3 years of active duty with the Army in Germany, he married his wife of 60 years, Carol Olsen Goodman on February 15, 1964. He then began his career in communications with Mountain Bell Telephone Company in Denver, Colorado. Harding and Carol welcomed their daughter Michelle in 1966.
Harding was a pioneer in the evolution of the communications industry working as an installer and then in upper management. Witnessing and implementing the progression of technology from dial up to fiber optics. He retired from AT&T in 1994 and then worked in IT and Human resources for American Airlines and retired in 1999. His career moved the family from Colorado, to California, to Texas, to Georgia, and finally landed them back in Conroe, Texas. He continued with consulting though 2005 when he decided to “retire”.
Harding was a lifelong learner. At 50 years of age, he received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix, and went on to get his commercial pilot’s license and became a flight instructor. In his free time he ran 26 marathons in various cities around the world. He especially loved to travel abroad and explore cities as he ran. His interest in communications never ended, he completed his amateur radio license in retirement and enjoyed volunteering for various races and events. Throughout his life he was an active member and leader in various philanthropic organizations, the Jaycees, volunteer sheriff's posse, and at church. Culminating as a devoted volunteer chaplain at St. Lukes and later Methodist Hospitals in the Woodlands.
He is survived by his wife Carol of Conroe Texas; daughter Michelle Tharp of Austin, Texas, grandchildren Ainsley Tharp of Oakland, California and Carson Tharp of Austin, Texas. Harding is also survived by his siblings Suzanne Walcott and her husband John Walcott, Brian Goodman and his wife Janet Goodman, Adrienne Owen and her husband Robert Owen, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Harding requested that we celebrate his life with joy, not despair. We will honor that request with a
celebration of life and informal reception following on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Cashner Funeral Home located at 801 Teas Road, Conroe, TX 77303
A private disbursement of ashes will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Heart to Heart Hospice
Pughearts of Houston
Salvation Army
