Harold Ray Glasco

Born on September 6, 1937, in Okemah, Oklahoma, Harold was the second of five children, joining his siblings Bud, Mary, Ellen, and Jim. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sydney and Thelma Glasco and his brother Bud.

In 1946, at the age of 9, Harold's family embarked on a journey to California, starting their new life in a storage shed with a dirt floor at his aunt's house near Lamont, outside Bakersfield. He often recalled asking his mother why she swept the dirt floor, to which she replied, “So it would be clean dirt”. Their family soon found farm labor work, moving to Blackburn Farm Labor Camp, which had once housed prisoners of war during WWII. Harold attended Arvin High School, and in his freshman year, his family moved to Sunset Farm Labor Camp in Weedpatch California, the same location where "The Grapes of Wrath" was filmed. Despite their hardships, Harold cherished his upbringing, sharing stories, in such a way that only he, or maybe John Steinbeck could tell, that echoed the resilience of (mostly) good people in tough times.

In his Senior year, Harold met the love of his life, Patricia in her Freshman year, at Sunset Camp when she was visiting her grandparents. They married in 1957, between her junior and senior years, shortly before he joined the Air Force. As a mechanic on the F-10 fighter jet, he rose to the rank of Buck Sergeant and became the Crew Chief for the Commander's personal F-104 Starfighter at George Air Force Base. A talented athlete, he also played on the Air Force traveling fast-pitch softball team, where his pitching speed rivaled that of the jets he maintained. Though offered a chance to continue his service in Spain, he chose to return home, embodying the spirit of a true patriot.

After leaving the Air Force, Harold briefly worked in construction before finding a rewarding career in sales at Hopper Steel in Bakersfield. He later transferred to Santa Maria, where he and Pat welcomed their two daughters, Shelly (Glasco) McNamara and Clarice (Glasco) Davis. In the late 1960s, the family relocated to Atascadero for Harold to manage outside sales for Hopper's Paso Robles store. In 1971, they purchased their beloved ranch in West Templeton, where they raised horses, cows, a cherished Longhorn steer, pigs, sheep, and chickens. Harold was known for his hard work, cutting firewood, bailing hay and collecting farm equipment, while also nurturing his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He even hosted his granddaughter's wedding on the ranch.

Affectionately dubbed "The Mayor of Oakdale Road" by neighbors, Harold had a knack for making friends and engaging everyone with his entertaining stories. He served on the Templeton School Board in the late 1970’s and early 80’s and continued to pitch men's fast-pitch softball into his 60s, pitching in the Nationals in Oklahoma. As a pitching coach for the Templeton Eagles Girls Fast Pitch Softball team, his legacy lives on in several championship banners displayed in the Templeton Eagle Gym. It was fitting and awe inspiring, that within moments of his passing, as witnessed by his family, a Great American Bald Eagle circled just above his house for a few minutes and flew off into the distance. There truly are no words to describe that moment.

Harold's faith in God, along with the love of his wife Pat, family, and friends, profoundly shaped his life and the lives of those around him. If you spent any time with Harold, you knew that you were in the presence of someone special. He was one of those local celebrities that made everyone feel that he was genuinely your friend. He and Pat quietly helped so many. He could and would spin a funny heartwarming story for sure. However, there was a certain measured and solemn presence of a man, that could be “large and in charge” just beneath the surface when called upon. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Harold’s message to everyone was simple yet powerful: "Trust in God and pray for His guidance and forgiveness"

*Per Harolds request, there will be no service. Cremation by Atascadero Chapel of Roses.