Derry Don Harding, age 88, went home to be with his Lord on October 15, 2024. Derry was born on July 19, 1936, in Clovis, New Mexico to James David Harding and Etha Ethlyln Harding, who lived on acreage near Farwell, Texas, at the time of his birth. Derry grew up in Levelland, Texas where his parents last moved in 1947. He graduated from Levelland High School in 1954. Derry married the love of his life, his best friend, Carolyn Reynolds, on September 12, 1964. They had two children, sons, Kenneth Alan and Dan Reagan, both of whom he loved dearly.
Derry looked upon each stage of his life as a challenge and an opportunity. In high school Derry was very active, lettered in basketball, participated in interscholastic league debate, served as president of his student council and graduated as valedictorian.
Derry attended Texas Tech University, which was then Texas Technological College, and graduated in 1958 with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Tech he was privileged to serve as Chief Justice of the Texas Tech Supreme Court, as President of the Baptist Student Union and in numerous other roles of leadership. He was honored as the outstanding graduating cadet of his U.S. Army R.O.T.C. class and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps.
He continued his education at Baylor Law School where he graduated in 1961 with a Juris Doctor degree and was licensed later that year by the Texas Supreme Court to practice law in the State of Texas.
Following graduation from law school, Derry was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals Corps. Upon completion of basic training in armor at the Army’s training base at Ft Knox, Kentucky and the completion of his study of military law at the University of Virginia, Derry was assigned to Fourth Army Headquarters, Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. There, he was promoted to Captain and served as chief of the Legal Assistance Section. Upon the completion of his military service, Derry was awarded the Army Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the Army for his service at the Headquarters.
Upon discharge from active duty in the Army, Derry moved to Lubbock and commenced his civilian practice of law, a profession he considered to be his calling and his ministry, a labor of love helping others. He practiced law for 52 years before retiring in December of 2013. During his legal career, Derry was recognized with the award of Outstanding Young Lawyer of Lubbock, County, served as President of the Lubbock County Bar Association, as Chairman of the General Practice Section of the State Bar of Texas and maintained an active role of leadership in multiple other areas. He was a Life Fellow and Sustaining Member of the Texas Bar Foundation, a member of the American Bar Association and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Derry was a long-time deacon at Second Baptist Church where he and Carolyn spent many years teaching Sunday School and as members of their Covenant Class. Derry had a strong personal belief in the power of prayer and attributed any success he may have achieved in life to his faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Derry is survived by his wife, Carolyn, by his son Ken and his wife, Stephanie, their three daughters, Kelsey, Andie and Brooke, by his son Dan, by his brother’s wife, Beth and two nieces, Christi and Joey and their children. Derry was preceded in death by his brother Herb with whom he had a lifelong bond.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to Derry’s caregivers at Calvert Hospice and Cornerstone Care. Your devotion to Derry (and his family) and your caring, helpful attitude were greatly appreciated!
Memorials are suggested to Second Baptist Church of Lubbock or to such other charitable body as you may feel led to contribute.
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