Birth date: Oct 12, 1944 Death date: Sep 5, 2021
Gary Ray Harder passed away on September 5, 2021, in Memphis, TN after a brief illness at his home. He was born on October 12, 1944, in St. Louis, MO to his parents Harry and Edna Harder. He graduated from Catholic High School for Read Obituary
Betty,
Sandy and I were very saddened to learn of Gary's death. I injoyed his friendship at work and greatly admired him for his dedication and commitment.
Rob and Sandy Avent
I will miss Gary, my lifelong friend. Gary was a significant positive influence in my life, in particular when I served with him and my VOMIT brothers (Veterans of Misery in Turkey) more than 50 years ago. Gary took me under his wing, was like a big brother to me, I will miss Gary’s friendship, frankness, candor, and jovial southern charm. Ron Fox expressed the history and our sentiments well. My sincere condolences to Betty and the family.
Gene Joles – Florence, AZ
I served with Gary in the Air Force in Turkey 50 years ago. Ron Fox has detailed beautifully how close we were and still are all these years later. Gary was highly respected and loved by all of us. He brought class and a certain southern charm to our band of brothers. He will be remembered as long as each of us loves.
Bob Pelletier, Foxborough, MA
As a member of the close knit group that served with Gary in the Air Force I can freely state that Gary was like a brother to us all. I met Gary in the airport in Syracuse, NY, the day we were to sign in for the Russian language course at the Air Force detachment at Syracuse University. We were roommates there and after language school we were off to Texas for security/intelligence training. Finally, in September of '68 we were on our way to our first real duty assignment at a remote Air Force "radar site" in Samsun, Turkey. It was on this assignment that life long friendships developed as we worked together, played sports for hours, and partied when we could. Gary was great fun to be around and you could learn a lot from the wisdom in his words. A true "brotherhood" was developed among several of us and we stayed in touch after our Air Force days. We celebrated at several reunions including the one Gary sponsored in Memphis in '71. We were all finishing our educations, getting married, and starting families in the 70's. Even with the challenges of us all being scattered in different states, the times we could get back together were always cherished. We Air Force "guys" send our heartfelt sympathy to Betty and the family and want them to know how much Gary meant to us.
Ron Fox
Lewis Center, OH
