With sorrow, the family of Roy Harding said goodbye to a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.  Roy, age 88, passed away peacefully June 3, 2023 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA.

He was born on June 25, 1934 in Seattle, Washington, the only son of the late Earl L. Harding Sr. of Anacortes, WA and Lea O. Kimari of Naselle, WA.

At the age of 3 his parents divorced and Roy went to Port Angeles to live with his Aunt Olga (Lea's sister) and Uncle Ero.  When he was 5, he returned to Seattle to live with his mom and attended Ravenna Grade School from K thru grade 6. He lived with his dad on weekends. After 6th grade Roy returned to the Olympic Peninsula to be raised by his Uncle Ero and Aunt Olga, with cousins John and Nancy Jarvis at their Sequim dairy farm.  Roy was on the Sequim High School Track Team and became a two-year letterman, played drums in band and was the drum major leading the band in the Sequim Irrigation Festival.  He participated in FFA, and received the FFA State Farmer Award, graduating from Sequim High School in 1952. With an Agricultural scholarship from Sears Roebuck & Co., Roy attended WSU during his freshman year.  The Korean War and Draft disrupted his college plans. From 1953 to 1957 Roy served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Damage Controlman, making 2nd class petty officer.  After DC school Roy spent two years on Kodiak Island in Alaska and then 18 months on a weather ship out of Portland, Maine.

While his ship, the USCGC Barataria, was in the port of Boston, he met his wife to be, Mary Goneau, at the USO Club located at the entrance of Boston Commons.  They were married a year later on July 7, 1957 in Cambridge, MA. After a romantic honeymoon at Rangeley Lakes Lodge in Maine, Roy worked as a plumber's helper in Danvers, MA, Mary was a keypunch operator at CBS Hytron nearby.  In 1958 they moved to Renton, WA where both worked at Boeing.  In 1959, Roy enrolled at Central WA State College in Ellensburg, while Mary worked as an Optometrist receptionist and a night cashier at a local steak house. In 1960, their son, David, was born.  In 1962, Roy graduated with a BA in Education and began his 36-year teaching/administration career with the Monroe School District.  Their daughter, Lisa, was born in 1964.  Roy taught 5th grade in Sequim for one year, then moved to Monroe to teach Middle School Science.  During his 5th year requirement, he earned a WA State Librarian Certificate and became the librarian for Monroe's three elementary schools and the middle school.  In 1970, he earned his Masters Degree in Education and his principal's credentials from CWU.  Roy's comfort level was with the "little people" - a term he used often to describe his elementary students.   Roy was the first principal at the new Maltby Elementary school and later moved to Frank Wagner Elementary, then ending his career as a Director at the Monroe District Office.  In the 30 years he worked for the Monroe School District he never missed a single day of work, earning a Perfect Attendance Award.  He is fondly remembered by the many young lives he touched during that time.

In addition to teaching, Roy stayed with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for 24 years retiring as a Chief Petty Officer.  Roy was active in many youth activities:  Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, School Outdoor Program (30 years), Monroe Library Board (11 years). He was a member of the Lake City Elks and Everett Eagles.  Mary and Roy were members of the Everett Yacht Club.  They moored their 28ft. Carver at the Everett Marina.

While living in Monroe, the Harding's always had 5 acres.  Roy often stated you can take the boy off the farm, but it's difficult to take the farm out of the man.  Gardening and small-scale farming were his pastimes.   Son, David, and daughter, Lisa, both had horses.  They learned the responsibilities of caring, grooming and feeding their pets and other farm animals.  Both entered their pigs at the Evergreen State Fair for several years.  Another family value was attending their school concerts and sporting events.  When they grew up, married and had children Roy and Mary attended the grandkids events.  Family was important to Roy.

After their children graduated and left home, Roy and Mary enrolled in Ballroom Dancing.  Monroe was close to Seattle, so they took lessons in Lake City and joined two dance clubs in downtown Seattle. Guys and Dolls was an informal club, men wore slacks and sport coats, ladies' nice dresses.  Comus was a formal affair.  Men wore tuxes, ladies wore gowns. They were active members for over 10 years.  Dancing was great fun, a time to meet wonderful new friends.

Salt water fishing, crabbing and traveling came later, after moving to Camano Island in 1998.  Roy and Mary built their dream home on the west side of Camano Island and enjoyed it for 18 wonderful years.  The house was on a slight plateau and overlooked beach houses just below, Saratoga Passage and Whidbey Island to the west, Mount Baker to the north, and the Olympic Mountain Range to the south.  The sunsets were spectacular! They frequently entertained neighbors, friends, and family at their home and invited friends and family to celebrate their 50th Anniversary together.  To relax, Roy and Mary walked the beach, dug clams and mussels, and went crabbing in their 16' boat.  In addition, they spent three winters as snowbirds in Arizona.  On July 7, 2022 they celebrated 65 years of love and devotion with family at their home in Stanwood, WA.

Roy is predeceased by his parents, sister Earla LeAnn Harding, and cousin John E. Jarvis. He is survived by his wife Mary of 65 years, their children David Roy Harding (Suzanne) and Lisa Marie Harding Hatzenbeler (Tim).  Roy's grandsons Brandon Harding, Christopher (Kelsey) Harding, Joshua Harding, Zachary Hatzenbeler, and Aaron Hatzenbeler. Roy has 5 sisters: Shirley Cragin, Bonnie Sequine, MaryLou Gilbert, Sharon Harding Englehart and cousin Nancy (Larry) Jarvis Hagen.  All of these have children – too many to list but Uncle Roy wishes them all long and healthy lives.  In addition, dear friend of the family and second "daughter, Mary Bellue.

A public viewing is scheduled at Gilbertson Funeral Home on Friday, June 9, 2023 from 10 am – 4pm.  Graveside service with full Military Honors is Saturday June 10, 2023 at 10 am at Mountain View Cemetery in Leavenworth, WA.  A Memorial Mass at St. Cecilia Church in Stanwood, WA will be scheduled at a later date.

The saddest moment is when the person who gave you the best memories becomes a memory.  Love is never destroyed by death.

Love you forever.