KENNETH HARDEN

FITTSTOWN-Services for Kenneth Doyle Harden, 85, Fittstown, are 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Revs. Chris Brannon and Tony Folger will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery. The Chickasaw Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday at Criswell Funeral Home.

Mr. Harden died Friday, October 19, 2007 at his home. He was born July 1, 1922 at Pontotoc, Oklahoma to Jay and Nora Hooper Harden. He attended Pontotoc schools and graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1941. He served in the U. S. Marine Corp during World War II and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He later attended Oklahoma A & M College and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science Husbandry.

He married Norine Garlington on July 5, 1944 at Pawnee, Oklahoma. Mr. Harden was a lifelong rancher in Pontotoc County. He will be remembered as one of Oklahoma's outstanding square dance callers. He was the Caller of the Ada "Hereford Whirlers" Square Dance Club for 50 years and helped organize square dance clubs in Durant, Broken Bow, Hugo, Stonewall, Sulphur, and Konawa. He was active in community affairs where he served on the Board of the Fittstown Volunteer Fire Department as its Treasurer for five years. He was also an active member of the Fittstown Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Norine Harden, of the home; a son, Marc Harden and wife Kyla, Ada; two granddaughters, Amberly Harden, Ada, and JulieAnn Harden, Republic, Missouri; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lance and Jackie Wise, St. Louis, Missouri.

Bearers will be Robin Johns, Turk Barrett, Elvin Jacquess, Stanley Oglesby, Willard Rhynes, and Jerry Winters. Honorary bearer will be Tommy Vass.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada