Aubrey Giles Harding Sr., 79, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Houston, Texas, died Sunday, May 19, 2019, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born October 15, 1939, in Houston, Texas, the son of Homer and Viola Garrett Harding. After serving his country in the United States Marine Corps, he met and married Sally Swackhammer, on December 28th, 1959.
They divorced in the mid-seventies. Aubrey is survived by the children from that union, Roxanna, Aubrey Jr., Daniel, Otho Wayne, Terri Lea, Donald, and James. Over the years Aubrey worked for Kock Brothers, and Chicago Northwestern Railroad, and was co-owner to House of Socrates in Des Moines for a brief time.
Aubrey was later joined in marriage to Joyce Riter and the couple relocated to the Houston Texas, where together they built “J. Harding and Co”. After having had great success for over 35 years they sold their business and later divorced.
After which Aubrey enrolled in college to learn film production and with that education merged his artistic talents with his good business sense and began doing films and production as well as designing and creating props for the film industry, some of his specialties were police vehicles, civil servant uniforms and a wide range of weapons that he built and rented. He also was a talented photographer and had many successful photo shoots, even created the scenery and layouts. His hobbies were vast and there was not much a man of his intelligence and ability could not do.
Some of his greatest interests were in photography, sailing, and traveling. He was also member of the “Hole in the Wall” Gang in Houston for many years. He is survived by his seven children, Roxanna Abela of Portland, Oregon, Aubrey Harding Jr (Allie) of New Port, Washington, Daniel Harding of Montgomery, Texas, Otho Wayne (Elizabeth) Harding of Basalt, Idaho, Terri Lea Babbitt of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Donald (Cheryl) Harding of Indianola, Iowa, and James Harding (Danielle) of Tacoma, Washington; twenty-four grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and one of the way; a brother, Roy Harding of Humble, Tx; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Richard I. Kuhnhausen; three great grandchildren; a brother, Homer Harding; and sisters, Ruby Honea, Lucille Dietrich, Joyce Courtney, Mildred Holley, Edith Lee, and Fay Simpson. As was Aubrey’s wishes his body has been cremated and no services are planned at this time. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
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