Harold was a musician, singer and song writer who performed under the pseudonym, Hank Stone.
Harold was given up for adoption at two weeks of age by his biological Irish mother. His red hair and outstanding blue eyes not only set him apart physically but his rational thinking often put him at odds with his stoic adoptive German father. His parents had a biological son one year after his adoption. Throughout his childhood, children taunted him about being adopted which strengthened his sensitivity to other's feelings and situations. He said, "I have never intentionally hurt anyone". He and his brother only spoke German when they began school but learned English without a Texas accent.
While serving in the Navy on the USS Lexington, Harold, mechanically gifted, taught himself to disassemble and reassemble one component of a plane until he became an expert and earned a grade in rank. After his honorable discharge, he tested and passed with the highest grade in his class to become a navigator. But marital opposition intervened and won.
He enjoyed 18 years (1964-1982) at Braniff Airlines until they went bankrupt having spent all of their employees retirement even owing them several weeks back pay.
Harold spent a short time driving for Kerrville Bus Lines and the San Antonio Transit System in Bexar County before it became Via Metropolitan System in 1978. Thus, began his 30 year career in driving, honing his driving skills, and beginning his excellent driving record.
He researched his options for his next career, eventually determining he would like to give transportation a try. He proved to be a superior businessman, able to diversify when called for. If seasonal work ended, Hank would find another commodity and keep on working. He loved long hauls to El Paso but wanted to be home every night. On one trip to El Paso, he told of a wild turkey flying into his windshield. His strong work ethic made him first at the scales every day and kept him working until the last load was hauled often putting in 10-12 hours a day, sometimes longer. He built up a fleet of trucks eventually going back to one when his health began to decline.
On one occasion, he was on his way home from Houston when he heard on his CB that a man had broken into a home in Houston, killed the doctor/husband, attacked the wife then set their house on fire. The suspect stole the doctor's red Corvette and was fleeing law enforcement. Shortly after hearing the report and monitoring his side mirrors, Harold saw the red Corvette behind him. Harold eased his rig into the left lane causing the Corvette to hit his rear left tandems. The Corvette veered into the median, resulting in the fugitive's capture.
He had a life long love affair with cars. Not just any car, he was a huge Mopar fan to the extent he owned a tee shirt that said "MOPAR OR NO CAR". When loading or unloading his 69 Charger, RT/SE, muscle car at car shows, his inner child simply could NOT resist doing a burnout. Since the Charger was not street legal Harold caught the attention of everyone (who was not deaf), often getting a reprimand from the Charger Club president.
Hank's greatest passion was traditional country music. For over 35 years he and his country swing band were in demand. He made three CD's which can be heard at cdbaby.com and several on you tube, one of which is a tribute to him from his wife at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gG7FVjhFgg
1998 Harold discovered he needed a quadruple bypass AND he had colon cancer. His cardiologist said the bypass must be performed first for him to survive the cancer surgery and treatment. He lived a healthy life until 2007 when the cancer metastasized to his lungs. He began chemo, then his oncologist used radiation to stop/slow the tumors growth. The radiation burned his vocal cords, bringing his singing career to an end. Hank was devastated! Singing is how he defined himself. If he could not sing, HOW COULD HE BE WHO WAS? Three months after he stopped chemo, Hank passed on to his eternal life.
Harold was raised a Lutheran but in 1990, he saw a well known local Baptist pastor in a TV vignette. Harold and wife joined the church; on 25 Aug 1996 Harold was baptized. This is where he learned about God's UNCONDITIONAL GRACE.
A heart of gold stopped beating,
Hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name,
All we have are memories,
Your picture in a frame.
A million times we've thought of you,
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
For a part of us went with you
The day God took you home.
Harold was given up for adoption at two weeks of age by his biological Irish mother. His red hair and outstanding blue eyes not only set him apart physically but his rational thinking often put him at odds with his stoic adoptive German father. His parents had a biological son one year after his adoption. Throughout his childhood, children taunted him about being adopted which strengthened his sensitivity to other's feelings and situations. He said, "I have never intentionally hurt anyone". He and his brother only spoke German when they began school but learned English without a Texas accent.
While serving in the Navy on the USS Lexington, Harold, mechanically gifted, taught himself to disassemble and reassemble one component of a plane until he became an expert and earned a grade in rank. After his honorable discharge, he tested and passed with the highest grade in his class to become a navigator. But marital opposition intervened and won.
He enjoyed 18 years (1964-1982) at Braniff Airlines until they went bankrupt having spent all of their employees retirement even owing them several weeks back pay.
Harold spent a short time driving for Kerrville Bus Lines and the San Antonio Transit System in Bexar County before it became Via Metropolitan System in 1978. Thus, began his 30 year career in driving, honing his driving skills, and beginning his excellent driving record.
He researched his options for his next career, eventually determining he would like to give transportation a try. He proved to be a superior businessman, able to diversify when called for. If seasonal work ended, Hank would find another commodity and keep on working. He loved long hauls to El Paso but wanted to be home every night. On one trip to El Paso, he told of a wild turkey flying into his windshield. His strong work ethic made him first at the scales every day and kept him working until the last load was hauled often putting in 10-12 hours a day, sometimes longer. He built up a fleet of trucks eventually going back to one when his health began to decline.
On one occasion, he was on his way home from Houston when he heard on his CB that a man had broken into a home in Houston, killed the doctor/husband, attacked the wife then set their house on fire. The suspect stole the doctor's red Corvette and was fleeing law enforcement. Shortly after hearing the report and monitoring his side mirrors, Harold saw the red Corvette behind him. Harold eased his rig into the left lane causing the Corvette to hit his rear left tandems. The Corvette veered into the median, resulting in the fugitive's capture.
He had a life long love affair with cars. Not just any car, he was a huge Mopar fan to the extent he owned a tee shirt that said "MOPAR OR NO CAR". When loading or unloading his 69 Charger, RT/SE, muscle car at car shows, his inner child simply could NOT resist doing a burnout. Since the Charger was not street legal Harold caught the attention of everyone (who was not deaf), often getting a reprimand from the Charger Club president.
Hank's greatest passion was traditional country music. For over 35 years he and his country swing band were in demand. He made three CD's which can be heard at cdbaby.com and several on you tube, one of which is a tribute to him from his wife at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gG7FVjhFgg
1998 Harold discovered he needed a quadruple bypass AND he had colon cancer. His cardiologist said the bypass must be performed first for him to survive the cancer surgery and treatment. He lived a healthy life until 2007 when the cancer metastasized to his lungs. He began chemo, then his oncologist used radiation to stop/slow the tumors growth. The radiation burned his vocal cords, bringing his singing career to an end. Hank was devastated! Singing is how he defined himself. If he could not sing, HOW COULD HE BE WHO WAS? Three months after he stopped chemo, Hank passed on to his eternal life.
Harold was raised a Lutheran but in 1990, he saw a well known local Baptist pastor in a TV vignette. Harold and wife joined the church; on 25 Aug 1996 Harold was baptized. This is where he learned about God's UNCONDITIONAL GRACE.
A heart of gold stopped beating,
Hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name,
All we have are memories,
Your picture in a frame.
A million times we've thought of you,
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
For a part of us went with you
The day God took you home.
Harold was a musician, singer and song writer who performed under the pseudonym, Hank Stone.
Harold was given up for adoption at two weeks of age by his biological Irish mother. His red hair and outstanding blue eyes not only set him apart physically but his rational thinking often put him at odds with his stoic adoptive German father. His parents had a biological son one year after his adoption. Throughout his childhood, children taunted him about being adopted which strengthened his sensitivity to other's feelings and situations. He said, "I have never intentionally hurt anyone". He and his brother only spoke German when they began school but learned English without a Texas accent.
While serving in the Navy on the USS Lexington, Harold, mechanically gifted, taught himself to disassemble and reassemble one component of a plane until he became an expert and earned a grade in rank. After his honorable discharge, he tested and passed with the highest grade in his class to become a navigator. But marital opposition intervened and won.
He enjoyed 18 years (1964-1982) at Braniff Airlines until they went bankrupt having spent all of their employees retirement even owing them several weeks back pay.
Harold spent a short time driving for Kerrville Bus Lines and the San Antonio Transit System in Bexar County before it became Via Metropolitan System in 1978. Thus, began his 30 year career in driving, honing his driving skills, and beginning his excellent driving record.
He researched his options for his next career, eventually determining he would like to give transportation a try. He proved to be a superior businessman, able to diversify when called for. If seasonal work ended, Hank would find another commodity and keep on working. He loved long hauls to El Paso but wanted to be home every night. On one trip to El Paso, he told of a wild turkey flying into his windshield. His strong work ethic made him first at the scales every day and kept him working until the last load was hauled often putting in 10-12 hours a day, sometimes longer. He built up a fleet of trucks eventually going back to one when his health began to decline.
On one occasion, he was on his way home from Houston when he heard on his CB that a man had broken into a home in Houston, killed the doctor/husband, attacked the wife then set their house on fire. The suspect stole the doctor's red Corvette and was fleeing law enforcement. Shortly after hearing the report and monitoring his side mirrors, Harold saw the red Corvette behind him. Harold eased his rig into the left lane causing the Corvette to hit his rear left tandems. The Corvette veered into the median, resulting in the fugitive's capture.
He had a life long love affair with cars. Not just any car, he was a huge Mopar fan to the extent he owned a tee shirt that said "MOPAR OR NO CAR". When loading or unloading his 69 Charger, RT/SE, muscle car at car shows, his inner child simply could NOT resist doing a burnout. Since the Charger was not street legal Harold caught the attention of everyone (who was not deaf), often getting a reprimand from the Charger Club president.
Hank's greatest passion was traditional country music. For over 35 years he and his country swing band were in demand. He made three CD's which can be heard at cdbaby.com and several on you tube, one of which is a tribute to him from his wife at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gG7FVjhFgg
1998 Harold discovered he needed a quadruple bypass AND he had colon cancer. His cardiologist said the bypass must be performed first for him to survive the cancer surgery and treatment. He lived a healthy life until 2007 when the cancer metastasized to his lungs. He began chemo, then his oncologist used radiation to stop/slow the tumors growth. The radiation burned his vocal cords, bringing his singing career to an end. Hank was devastated! Singing is how he defined himself. If he could not sing, HOW COULD HE BE WHO WAS? Three months after he stopped chemo, Hank passed on to his eternal life.
Harold was raised a Lutheran but in 1990, he saw a well known local Baptist pastor in a TV vignette. Harold and wife joined the church; on 25 Aug 1996 Harold was baptized. This is where he learned about God's UNCONDITIONAL GRACE.
A heart of gold stopped beating,
Hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name,
All we have are memories,
Your picture in a frame.
A million times we've thought of you,
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
For a part of us went with you
The day God took you home.
Harold was given up for adoption at two weeks of age by his biological Irish mother. His red hair and outstanding blue eyes not only set him apart physically but his rational thinking often put him at odds with his stoic adoptive German father. His parents had a biological son one year after his adoption. Throughout his childhood, children taunted him about being adopted which strengthened his sensitivity to other's feelings and situations. He said, "I have never intentionally hurt anyone". He and his brother only spoke German when they began school but learned English without a Texas accent.
While serving in the Navy on the USS Lexington, Harold, mechanically gifted, taught himself to disassemble and reassemble one component of a plane until he became an expert and earned a grade in rank. After his honorable discharge, he tested and passed with the highest grade in his class to become a navigator. But marital opposition intervened and won.
He enjoyed 18 years (1964-1982) at Braniff Airlines until they went bankrupt having spent all of their employees retirement even owing them several weeks back pay.
Harold spent a short time driving for Kerrville Bus Lines and the San Antonio Transit System in Bexar County before it became Via Metropolitan System in 1978. Thus, began his 30 year career in driving, honing his driving skills, and beginning his excellent driving record.
He researched his options for his next career, eventually determining he would like to give transportation a try. He proved to be a superior businessman, able to diversify when called for. If seasonal work ended, Hank would find another commodity and keep on working. He loved long hauls to El Paso but wanted to be home every night. On one trip to El Paso, he told of a wild turkey flying into his windshield. His strong work ethic made him first at the scales every day and kept him working until the last load was hauled often putting in 10-12 hours a day, sometimes longer. He built up a fleet of trucks eventually going back to one when his health began to decline.
On one occasion, he was on his way home from Houston when he heard on his CB that a man had broken into a home in Houston, killed the doctor/husband, attacked the wife then set their house on fire. The suspect stole the doctor's red Corvette and was fleeing law enforcement. Shortly after hearing the report and monitoring his side mirrors, Harold saw the red Corvette behind him. Harold eased his rig into the left lane causing the Corvette to hit his rear left tandems. The Corvette veered into the median, resulting in the fugitive's capture.
He had a life long love affair with cars. Not just any car, he was a huge Mopar fan to the extent he owned a tee shirt that said "MOPAR OR NO CAR". When loading or unloading his 69 Charger, RT/SE, muscle car at car shows, his inner child simply could NOT resist doing a burnout. Since the Charger was not street legal Harold caught the attention of everyone (who was not deaf), often getting a reprimand from the Charger Club president.
Hank's greatest passion was traditional country music. For over 35 years he and his country swing band were in demand. He made three CD's which can be heard at cdbaby.com and several on you tube, one of which is a tribute to him from his wife at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gG7FVjhFgg
1998 Harold discovered he needed a quadruple bypass AND he had colon cancer. His cardiologist said the bypass must be performed first for him to survive the cancer surgery and treatment. He lived a healthy life until 2007 when the cancer metastasized to his lungs. He began chemo, then his oncologist used radiation to stop/slow the tumors growth. The radiation burned his vocal cords, bringing his singing career to an end. Hank was devastated! Singing is how he defined himself. If he could not sing, HOW COULD HE BE WHO WAS? Three months after he stopped chemo, Hank passed on to his eternal life.
Harold was raised a Lutheran but in 1990, he saw a well known local Baptist pastor in a TV vignette. Harold and wife joined the church; on 25 Aug 1996 Harold was baptized. This is where he learned about God's UNCONDITIONAL GRACE.
A heart of gold stopped beating,
Hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name,
All we have are memories,
Your picture in a frame.
A million times we've thought of you,
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
For a part of us went with you
The day God took you home.
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Gravesite Details
ADR2 US Navy
