October 2, 2018
Ted passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on October 2, 2018 at the age of 94 with family by his side. Ted matched the longevity of his nonagenarian grandfather, Samuel Alexander Harding, a pioneer dairyman of Guernsey's in the Chilliwack region.
Ted was born in Chilliwack, BC in 1924. He spent his early years on the family dairy farm at Camp Slough near Chilliwack, BC. At age 14, Ted was a gifted vocalist and enjoyed playing the piano and accordion for dances in community halls in the Chilliwack/Agassiz area. At age 18, Ted joined the RCAF during the Second World War and served in the No. 120 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron as a navigator or tail gunner in Stranraer and Canso aircraft/flying boats off the west coast of Vancouver Island. His squadron patrolled up to 500 miles out over the Pacific Ocean for enemy ships, submarines and aircraft. He ended his air force career in the Western Air Command Intelligence as a Mission Specialist and achieved the rank of Sargent. During this time Ted met his wife Phyllis and together they started their family and life together. Ted moved to Edmonton, Alberta in 1945 and began his career as a machinist and heavy duty mechanic. He started and owned a number of businesses in Alberta and worked in the oil and gas industry until his first retirement in 1973. Ted and family moved to Vernon, BC where he started Harding Equipment/Vernon Diesel which supported power equipment needs of the Lumber Industry and B.C. Hydro until he retired. Ted was an avid outdoors person and enjoyed spending time with his family on fishing and hunting trips.
He is survived by his loving wife Phyllis, daughters Faye Harder, Mary Harding, sons Edward (Madeleine) Harding, David (Marie) Harding, Bob (Jaqueline) Harding.
Grandchildren: Carrie Harder, Jodi (Mike) Kuriger, Richard Harding, Greg (Erin) Harding, Natalie Harding, Michael Harding, Peter Harding, William Harding, Katie Harding, Jacob Harding. Great Grandchildren: Ian Harder, Aidan Harding, Teegan Kuriger, Karlin Kuriger, Kacey Harding and Rhett Harding.
Ted is predeceased by his mother Edith Esme (Street) Harding, father Charles Allan Harding, sisters Janet Clara Harding, Doreen Esme Cardenas, brother Charles Ernest Harding, son in law Dr. Edward Harder and his lifelong friend and fishing buddy Walter Hocoluk, the fiddle-player in Ted's band.
Ted will be missed by his family and good friends, Linda and Lyle Nicolls, Judy and Mark Wakefield, Dale and Ted Carter, John and Bev Tompson, and the family and past employees of the late Jack Morrison of Sun Auto Parts.
The family would like to sincerely thank Veterans Affairs Canada, BC Interior Health staff and all the staff at the Hamlets for the excellent care provided.
There will be no formal service at Ted's request. A memorial will be held in Chilliwack in 2019 where Ted will be interned with his Mother and Father.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's on-line obituary at pleasantvalleyfh.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, Phone: 250-542-4333.
Pleasant Valley Dignity Funeral Home