View Harold's Funeral Folder Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the United Methodist Church, Highmore with Pastor Kori Lehrkamp officiating. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2012 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore. Burial will be 1:30 p.m., Monday, April 23, 2012 at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis with full military honors. Harold Benjamin Bawdon was born June 22, 1922 to Herbert and Theresa (Dirks) Bawdon in Hand County. He went to a rural school in Spring Hill Township, Hand County where he graduated 8th grade. He attended Highmore High school and graduated in 1942. In 1944, he then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp as an Aviator Instructor. He was stationed in Memphis, TN where he met his future wife Patricia Ann Thames. They were united in marriage in 1946. He served in WWII in the Pacific Theatre as a fighter Pilot and was later recalled to service in the Korean Conflict. He then with his wife and one child, Joseph, moved to Highmore, SD to continue his farming and ranching career. In 1954, a set of twins were born, Ronald and Robert, to complete the family. He was then honorably discharged from the military. Harold was one of the founding fathers of the Highmore Roundup Club. He was very active in leather work, making saddles and other leather accessories. Harold was active with local 4-H groups where he taught the art of leatherwork and also a member of the Highmore American Legion Frank Vopat Post. His hobbies were golfing, horseback riding, taking his children to horse shows, collecting coins, and his work. He loved to help neighbors build steel grain bins and pole sheds. You could always find him on Thursday or Sunday afternoons heading to Ft Thompson to the Lode Star Casino. He is survived by his sons: Joseph (Susan) Bawdon of Custer (Darci, Cody, Casey, and Cassie); Ronald (Paula) Bawdon of Ft Collins, CO (Lisa and Heidi); Robert (Pamela) Bawdon of Highmore (Kristen, Jordan, and Jayme); 1 great-grandchild, Tyler Bawdon; sister, Pearl Dittman, brother, John (Ellen) Bawdon; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Harold is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia in 1994; parents; paternal and maternal grandparents; one brother; one sister; and one brother in-law. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Highmore Rodeo Club and Hyde County 4-H, PO Box 515, Highmore, SD 57345. Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Harold’s arrangements.
View Harold's Tribute Video
Harold Bawdon, 89, of Highmore, took his final ‘flight’ on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Print Obituary
