Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2015, at Collier-Butler Chapel for Harold C. Overton, 95, of Gadsden, who passed away Sunday, February 22, 2015. Rev. Don Ware will officiate. Burial will be at Forrest Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.
Mr. Overton was born in Birmingham, AL, in January 1920. His family relocated to coastal Mississippi when he was 4 years old, settling first in Gulfport, MS, and later in Vancleave, MS. Surviving the Great Depression on a small farm in the area, Harold Overton first gained employment with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on a chemical truck spraying for insects, and earning money to help put himself through Perkingston Junior College.
In early 1941, Harold was drafted into the U.S. Army. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Harold was assigned to Fort Lewis, WA, where he worked in Coastal Artillery, and later in the Medical Battalion. It was here that he was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS). After earning his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, he served as an instructor at White Sands Missile Range, NM. He then served multiple combat assignments in the European Theater of World War II in Italy & Germany as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery Commander, and post-war assignments conducting a study into the Axis Air Defenses in Europe.
After World War II, he returned to Mississippi and enrolled at Mississippi State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
In 1952, he re-entered service with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
In 1955, he relocated to Gadsden, AL, and began his professional civilian career working as a mechanical engineer with the Allis-Chalmers Corporation. After Allis-Chalmers relocated their engineering department to Indiana, he continued his career with the Republic Steel Corporation in Gadsden, AL. It was during this time that he met his wife Annette Overton (nee Ware). In 1970, Annette gave birth to their son, Harold Jr.
During this time, Harold served as chief project manager for the new plate mill. Ultimately, Harold wrote multiple patents for both Allis-Chalmers and Republic Steel, many of which are still referenced in new engineering patents today. He ultimately retired from Republic Steel as Chief of Mechanical Engineering in the Gadsden, AL, facility. Harold also remained in service in the U.S. Army (Reserve), retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He maintained membership in the Military Officers' Association of America (MOAA), and the Association of Iron & Steel Engineers, and a longtime member of Bellevue Baptist Church of Gadsden, AL.
Harold's other projects included being on the construction committee for the building of the new sanctuary at Bellevue Baptist Church in Gadsden, AL. He also worked to maintain the Briarmeade Golf Club in Glencoe, AL, after the dissolution of the Republic Steel Corporation.
After Annette's death in 1986, Harold remarried in 1990 with Kathryn Thorp (nee Ridgell), to whom he remained married until his death in 2015.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Overton; parents, William Claude and Gladys Overton; brother, Neil Overton; and sisters, Mary Helen Overton, Betty Ton and Eva Sykes.
Harold is survived by his wife, Kathryn; his son, Major Harold Overton Jr. at March AFB CA/Ontario, CA; his stepsons, Randall Thorp of Gainesville, FL, and Steve Thorp of Pharr, TX. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Yheimi Overton of Ontario, CA; and grandchildren, Mia Overton, Adam Thorp, Daniel Thorp, Sally Thorp and Linville Thorp. Additionally he is survived by his brothers, Bill Overton of Houston, TX; and Joe Overton of Fayetteville, AR; and several other family members.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Disabled American Veterans; the Salvation Army; Shepherd's Cove Hospice of Albertville, AL; or a local charity of choice.
Honorary pallbearers are the Men's Bible Class of Bellevue Baptist Church, his golfing friends of Briarmeade Golf Club, and the Fiesta Club of Gadsden, AL.
The family will accept friends from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday prior to the service. (The Gadsden Times, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015)
(The Gadsden Times, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015: Because of the weather (snow), services for Harold Overton have been rescheduled to 2 p.m. Saturday at Collier-Butler Chapel.
Collier-Butler Funeral Home directing.)
Mr. Overton was born in Birmingham, AL, in January 1920. His family relocated to coastal Mississippi when he was 4 years old, settling first in Gulfport, MS, and later in Vancleave, MS. Surviving the Great Depression on a small farm in the area, Harold Overton first gained employment with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on a chemical truck spraying for insects, and earning money to help put himself through Perkingston Junior College.
In early 1941, Harold was drafted into the U.S. Army. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Harold was assigned to Fort Lewis, WA, where he worked in Coastal Artillery, and later in the Medical Battalion. It was here that he was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS). After earning his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, he served as an instructor at White Sands Missile Range, NM. He then served multiple combat assignments in the European Theater of World War II in Italy & Germany as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery Commander, and post-war assignments conducting a study into the Axis Air Defenses in Europe.
After World War II, he returned to Mississippi and enrolled at Mississippi State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
In 1952, he re-entered service with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
In 1955, he relocated to Gadsden, AL, and began his professional civilian career working as a mechanical engineer with the Allis-Chalmers Corporation. After Allis-Chalmers relocated their engineering department to Indiana, he continued his career with the Republic Steel Corporation in Gadsden, AL. It was during this time that he met his wife Annette Overton (nee Ware). In 1970, Annette gave birth to their son, Harold Jr.
During this time, Harold served as chief project manager for the new plate mill. Ultimately, Harold wrote multiple patents for both Allis-Chalmers and Republic Steel, many of which are still referenced in new engineering patents today. He ultimately retired from Republic Steel as Chief of Mechanical Engineering in the Gadsden, AL, facility. Harold also remained in service in the U.S. Army (Reserve), retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He maintained membership in the Military Officers' Association of America (MOAA), and the Association of Iron & Steel Engineers, and a longtime member of Bellevue Baptist Church of Gadsden, AL.
Harold's other projects included being on the construction committee for the building of the new sanctuary at Bellevue Baptist Church in Gadsden, AL. He also worked to maintain the Briarmeade Golf Club in Glencoe, AL, after the dissolution of the Republic Steel Corporation.
After Annette's death in 1986, Harold remarried in 1990 with Kathryn Thorp (nee Ridgell), to whom he remained married until his death in 2015.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Overton; parents, William Claude and Gladys Overton; brother, Neil Overton; and sisters, Mary Helen Overton, Betty Ton and Eva Sykes.
Harold is survived by his wife, Kathryn; his son, Major Harold Overton Jr. at March AFB CA/Ontario, CA; his stepsons, Randall Thorp of Gainesville, FL, and Steve Thorp of Pharr, TX. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Yheimi Overton of Ontario, CA; and grandchildren, Mia Overton, Adam Thorp, Daniel Thorp, Sally Thorp and Linville Thorp. Additionally he is survived by his brothers, Bill Overton of Houston, TX; and Joe Overton of Fayetteville, AR; and several other family members.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Disabled American Veterans; the Salvation Army; Shepherd's Cove Hospice of Albertville, AL; or a local charity of choice.
Honorary pallbearers are the Men's Bible Class of Bellevue Baptist Church, his golfing friends of Briarmeade Golf Club, and the Fiesta Club of Gadsden, AL.
The family will accept friends from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday prior to the service. (The Gadsden Times, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015)
(The Gadsden Times, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015: Because of the weather (snow), services for Harold Overton have been rescheduled to 2 p.m. Saturday at Collier-Butler Chapel.
Collier-Butler Funeral Home directing.)
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2015, at Collier-Butler Chapel for Harold C. Overton, 95, of Gadsden, who passed away Sunday, February 22, 2015. Rev. Don Ware will officiate. Burial will be at Forrest Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.
Mr. Overton was born in Birmingham, AL, in January 1920. His family relocated to coastal Mississippi when he was 4 years old, settling first in Gulfport, MS, and later in Vancleave, MS. Surviving the Great Depression on a small farm in the area, Harold Overton first gained employment with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on a chemical truck spraying for insects, and earning money to help put himself through Perkingston Junior College.
In early 1941, Harold was drafted into the U.S. Army. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Harold was assigned to Fort Lewis, WA, where he worked in Coastal Artillery, and later in the Medical Battalion. It was here that he was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS). After earning his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, he served as an instructor at White Sands Missile Range, NM. He then served multiple combat assignments in the European Theater of World War II in Italy & Germany as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery Commander, and post-war assignments conducting a study into the Axis Air Defenses in Europe.
After World War II, he returned to Mississippi and enrolled at Mississippi State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
In 1952, he re-entered service with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
In 1955, he relocated to Gadsden, AL, and began his professional civilian career working as a mechanical engineer with the Allis-Chalmers Corporation. After Allis-Chalmers relocated their engineering department to Indiana, he continued his career with the Republic Steel Corporation in Gadsden, AL. It was during this time that he met his wife Annette Overton (nee Ware). In 1970, Annette gave birth to their son, Harold Jr.
During this time, Harold served as chief project manager for the new plate mill. Ultimately, Harold wrote multiple patents for both Allis-Chalmers and Republic Steel, many of which are still referenced in new engineering patents today. He ultimately retired from Republic Steel as Chief of Mechanical Engineering in the Gadsden, AL, facility. Harold also remained in service in the U.S. Army (Reserve), retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He maintained membership in the Military Officers' Association of America (MOAA), and the Association of Iron & Steel Engineers, and a longtime member of Bellevue Baptist Church of Gadsden, AL.
Harold's other projects included being on the construction committee for the building of the new sanctuary at Bellevue Baptist Church in Gadsden, AL. He also worked to maintain the Briarmeade Golf Club in Glencoe, AL, after the dissolution of the Republic Steel Corporation.
After Annette's death in 1986, Harold remarried in 1990 with Kathryn Thorp (nee Ridgell), to whom he remained married until his death in 2015.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Overton; parents, William Claude and Gladys Overton; brother, Neil Overton; and sisters, Mary Helen Overton, Betty Ton and Eva Sykes.
Harold is survived by his wife, Kathryn; his son, Major Harold Overton Jr. at March AFB CA/Ontario, CA; his stepsons, Randall Thorp of Gainesville, FL, and Steve Thorp of Pharr, TX. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Yheimi Overton of Ontario, CA; and grandchildren, Mia Overton, Adam Thorp, Daniel Thorp, Sally Thorp and Linville Thorp. Additionally he is survived by his brothers, Bill Overton of Houston, TX; and Joe Overton of Fayetteville, AR; and several other family members.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Disabled American Veterans; the Salvation Army; Shepherd's Cove Hospice of Albertville, AL; or a local charity of choice.
Honorary pallbearers are the Men's Bible Class of Bellevue Baptist Church, his golfing friends of Briarmeade Golf Club, and the Fiesta Club of Gadsden, AL.
The family will accept friends from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday prior to the service. (The Gadsden Times, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015)
(The Gadsden Times, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015: Because of the weather (snow), services for Harold Overton have been rescheduled to 2 p.m. Saturday at Collier-Butler Chapel.
Collier-Butler Funeral Home directing.)
Mr. Overton was born in Birmingham, AL, in January 1920. His family relocated to coastal Mississippi when he was 4 years old, settling first in Gulfport, MS, and later in Vancleave, MS. Surviving the Great Depression on a small farm in the area, Harold Overton first gained employment with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on a chemical truck spraying for insects, and earning money to help put himself through Perkingston Junior College.
In early 1941, Harold was drafted into the U.S. Army. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Harold was assigned to Fort Lewis, WA, where he worked in Coastal Artillery, and later in the Medical Battalion. It was here that he was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS). After earning his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, he served as an instructor at White Sands Missile Range, NM. He then served multiple combat assignments in the European Theater of World War II in Italy & Germany as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery Commander, and post-war assignments conducting a study into the Axis Air Defenses in Europe.
After World War II, he returned to Mississippi and enrolled at Mississippi State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
In 1952, he re-entered service with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
In 1955, he relocated to Gadsden, AL, and began his professional civilian career working as a mechanical engineer with the Allis-Chalmers Corporation. After Allis-Chalmers relocated their engineering department to Indiana, he continued his career with the Republic Steel Corporation in Gadsden, AL. It was during this time that he met his wife Annette Overton (nee Ware). In 1970, Annette gave birth to their son, Harold Jr.
During this time, Harold served as chief project manager for the new plate mill. Ultimately, Harold wrote multiple patents for both Allis-Chalmers and Republic Steel, many of which are still referenced in new engineering patents today. He ultimately retired from Republic Steel as Chief of Mechanical Engineering in the Gadsden, AL, facility. Harold also remained in service in the U.S. Army (Reserve), retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He maintained membership in the Military Officers' Association of America (MOAA), and the Association of Iron & Steel Engineers, and a longtime member of Bellevue Baptist Church of Gadsden, AL.
Harold's other projects included being on the construction committee for the building of the new sanctuary at Bellevue Baptist Church in Gadsden, AL. He also worked to maintain the Briarmeade Golf Club in Glencoe, AL, after the dissolution of the Republic Steel Corporation.
After Annette's death in 1986, Harold remarried in 1990 with Kathryn Thorp (nee Ridgell), to whom he remained married until his death in 2015.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Overton; parents, William Claude and Gladys Overton; brother, Neil Overton; and sisters, Mary Helen Overton, Betty Ton and Eva Sykes.
Harold is survived by his wife, Kathryn; his son, Major Harold Overton Jr. at March AFB CA/Ontario, CA; his stepsons, Randall Thorp of Gainesville, FL, and Steve Thorp of Pharr, TX. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Yheimi Overton of Ontario, CA; and grandchildren, Mia Overton, Adam Thorp, Daniel Thorp, Sally Thorp and Linville Thorp. Additionally he is survived by his brothers, Bill Overton of Houston, TX; and Joe Overton of Fayetteville, AR; and several other family members.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Disabled American Veterans; the Salvation Army; Shepherd's Cove Hospice of Albertville, AL; or a local charity of choice.
Honorary pallbearers are the Men's Bible Class of Bellevue Baptist Church, his golfing friends of Briarmeade Golf Club, and the Fiesta Club of Gadsden, AL.
The family will accept friends from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday prior to the service. (The Gadsden Times, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015)
(The Gadsden Times, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015: Because of the weather (snow), services for Harold Overton have been rescheduled to 2 p.m. Saturday at Collier-Butler Chapel.
Collier-Butler Funeral Home directing.)
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