From the Sept. 16, 2007, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:
RUSH F. BUDDY HARDING JR., died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007. He was born Nov. 22, 1928 to Rush F. Harding and Lucy (Hix) Harding of Holly Grove, Ark.
Survivors include his wife, Martha (Stone) Harding of Little Rock; his son, Rush Harding III, and his wife Linda of Little Rock; his daughter Jennifer Elledge Lynn and her husband, Richard, also of Little Rock. He had six grandchildren that he loved deeply; Erin Elledge Owens, and her husband, Dr. Dan Owens of Pocotello, Idaho; Katie Elledge and Clif Elledge, both of Little Rock; Shaylea Harding McKay and her husband, Dr. Kris McKay of Hamden, Conn.; Rush F. (Buddy) Harding, IV and Payne Harding of Little Rock.
He was a retired educator, having taught in the Clarendon School District for 34 years before retiring in 1986 to move to Little Rock to be around his grandchildren. He grew up in Holly Grove, where his mentor, Sonny Gordon, had a profound effect on him and led him into a career of coaching and teaching. He attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway where he excelled in basketball and track. He then coached one year at Barton before his long, meaningful career at Clarendon. He left his mark on that community, making a difference in the lives of generations of families and their children. He is still remembered fondly and revered by the people of Clarendon and his former students and players. At Clarendon he coached all sports, winning several state championships in football and track. He was selected by his peers to coach in the Arkansas High School All-Star game in 1958 and again as head coach of the East All-Stars in 1963. He left coaching in 1970 and became the high school principal at Clarendon.
Upon retirement, he was asked to join Coach Harold Hortons staff at the University of Central Arkansas. He served on the coaching staff for two seasons and reaffirmed that he was the ultimate players coach, loved by his players and respected by his colleagues for his fire and passion for young people and the game. He proudly served in the Army during WW II.
He was a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Central Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon and Little Rock.
Funeral arrangements will be provided by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock at 723 Center Street, with Reverend Ed Matthews and Reverend Jim McKay officiating. Visitation will follow in the fellowship hall at the church. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 317 Washington Street, Clarendon, Ark. 72029 or to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, #3 Alltel Arena Way, North Little Rock, Ark. 72114.
Sign online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.
-- Edited by Jane Dearing Dennis at 08:41, 2007-09-16
