Leo Boyd Harshbarger

Leo Boyd Harshbarger, age 83, lost his brave battle with cancer and passed away at his home in Long Beach on Thursday, December 18, 2008. Mr. Harshbarger was born in Plentywood, Montana and moved to the Gulf Coast when he was nine years old. He was well known on the Coast as an expert in refrigeration and air conditioning. He worked full time with no thought of retiring until his health forced him to stay home this past February. Mr. Harshbarger proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp during World War II. He was a decorated veteran and a Purple Heart recipient. He was devoted to his wife of 64 years and to his family. He loved to fish almost as much as he liked his work. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Bill Harshbarger; and his daughter, Kim Ellis. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Marie Sumrall Harshbarger; his three sons, Leo Boyd Harshbarger, Jr. and his wife, Veronica of Sacramento, CA, Mark Allen Harshbarger and his wife, Kathy of Long Beach, Hung Le and his wife, Thanh of Jacksonville, FL; his six daughters, Gloria Blackwell of Long Beach, Cheryl York and her husband, Jerry of Gulfport, Lynn Roberts of Gulfport, Maenell Kariker and her husband, Tim of Long Beach, Beth May and her husband, Wayne of Pass Christian, Kris Vitani of Orlando, FL; two sisters, Fern White and Betty White, both of Vancleave; a brother, Pete Harshbarger; twenty-nine grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild. The family suggests memorials to St. Thomas Catholic Church Building Fund, 5557 Daugherty Road, Long Beach, MS 39560. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 22, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach where friends may visit from 11:00 until the Mass. Interment will follow at Gulf Pine Memorial Gardens, Long Beach. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com