Curtis J. Harding, Jr., 92, of Topeka, KS passed away Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Stormont Vail Hospital. He was born January 31, 1922 in Lawton, OK, the son of Curtis J. and Hettie M. (Tuckey) Harding.

Curtis graduated from Central High School at Lawton, OK in 1940. After high school, he proudly served in the United States Army during World War II. Curtis worked at Santa Fe Railroad for 36 years, retiring as Assistant Superintendent of Car Services in 1982. From the day Curtis began his service with Santa Fe, in April 1947, he rose through the ranks beginning as a ticket sorter, culminating a period of 36 years, serving on a special assignment with the Association of American Railroads until retirement on June 1, 1982.

 He was a member of V.F.W. Post #400 and Moose Lodge both in Topeka. Curtis enjoyed fishing and bowling. He had been instrumental in starting the Santa Fe Retirees Golf League. He also had coached basketball, softball and baseball for many years.


Curtis’s life was filled with many people and his favorite saying was “Life is a journey”, and he made the most of it.

Curtis married Beverly B. Bunton on April 24, 1964 in Lawrence, Kansas.

She survives of the home. Other survivors include 2 sons, Ronald Harding (Peggy) of Granbury, TX and Stephen Harding (Chris) of Silver Lake, KS; 2 brothers, George Harding of Larkinburg, KS and James Harding of Tecumseh, KS; 5 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; dearest family friends, Dan, Linda and Gary Woodland and C.J. Head and the family’s chosen angels, April Gleason and Allison Creek.

 He was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Dorr and a brother, Henry Harding.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be in the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Helping Hands Humane Society or Washburn University Athletic Department c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.