Col. John Means Harden III ’49

Col. John Means Harden III ’49 (Ret.), of Lexington, S.C., died at the Presbyterian Home in Lexington on April 29. He was the eldest son of the late John Means and Kathleen Caldwell Harden, Jr. He was born in Winnsboro, S.C., on June 16, 1925. Harden served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theater and later achieved the rank of colonel. After WWII, he graduated from Davidson, where he majored in psychology. After graduation he worked for Burlington Mills in Greenville, N.C., Carolina Life Insurance Company, RL Bryan Company, and later retired from the bridge design department of the S.C. Highway Department. An enthusiastic supporter of the arts and history, Harden was a member and supporter of many organizations, including the Drama Club, Columbia Museum of Art, the S.C. Philharmonic, Fairfield County Historical Society, S.C. Historical Society, Caroliniana Society, English Speaking Union, Military Order of World Wars, and Sons of the American Revolution. Harden is survived by a sister, Margaret Harden McLeod, 9 W. St. N., Summerville, SC 29483; sister-in-law, Betty Mayes Harden (Mrs. Joe C.); five nieces and nephews, Kathleen M. Gelzer (Randall), Virginia M. Bales (Steve), Cliff McLeod, Jr. (Lisa), Carol H. House (Jim), and Elizabeth H. Baggott (Chris); great nieces and nephews, Margaret G. Culclasure (Harry), Randall Gelzer, Jr. (Maureen), Aaron Bales (Liz), Jason Bales (Maureen), Cliff Hill McLeod, Jr., Rob McLeod, Catherine McLeod, Kathleen House, Andrew House, Sarah Frances House, and Lily Baggott; and special lifelong friends, David A. and Julie Epting, Jr. Harden was preceded in death by his brother, Joe C. Harden.