Donald C. Harder

Donald C. Harder died February 5, 2019, at the age of 71, in Cottonwood, Arizona, with his family by his side. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Irene Harder and sister Karen K. Harder. Don is survived by his wife Patricia, married 49 years, his son, Chad Harder, his daughter and son-in-law, Randy and Robin (Harder) Thomas; his grandkids JT Thomas and his wife Sarra, Shane and Trevor Harder, and Scott Martinez; his brothers and sister-in-laws Leroy and Carol Harder and Larry and Pat Harder; his sisters Jean (Harder-Consbruck) Johnson and Mary Jo (Harder) Porter, many nieces and nephews and close friends that he considered family. Don was born January 8, 1948 in Grand Island, Nebraska and raised in Hastings, Nebraska. Don joined the National Guard and then and enlisted in the US Navy in 1967. Before his honorable discharge in 1969, Don served in Vietnam earning the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device and a Silver Star. After leaving the service, Don married Patricia Foltz on November 29, 1969 in Hastings, Nebraska and relocated to Southern California in 1971 to work in construction. He relocated his family to Cornville Arizona in November 1988 and built their forever home, where he enjoyed the slower pace life while doing the things he loved most, boating, fishing, hunting, stock and sprint car racing, some NASCAR with the boys, and just spending time with his family and friends. Don stayed extra busy serving as the Commander of the VFW in Camp Verde, Arizona, for a couple of years and was supportive of his military brothers and sisters. There will be a Celebration of His Life at the VFW Post 6739, Camp Verde, Arizona, on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 1:00 pm.