Charles Edgar Harding

CHARLES EDGAR HARDING, 86, of Nashoba, Oklahoma passed away August 17, 2022. He was born September 6, 1935, in Sikeston, Missouri to Maurice and Lucille (Mills) Harding. His handshake was his bond, and his friendship was a gift as he had MANY friends! Charles' father was a heavy equipment operator which necessitated frequent moving to various States, and finally settling in El Paso Texas, so their children (Charles and his sister Doris) could complete their schooling. Charles graduated from Austin High School and attended Texas Western College, later named University of Texas at El Paso - UTEP. There he met and married Mary Frances Buchannan in 1953. She loved language and became a Spanish teacher. Charles was employed at El Paso Electric. Their children were John Charles born in 1956 and Catherine Sue born in 1958. Charles loved music. He bought his first guitar from the Sears Roebuck catalog when he was 12 years old. He was self taught and eventually became expert at Folk and Bluegrass Music. As Charles gained popularity, he forged a long-lasting bond with the Franklin Mountain Bluegrass Band. His wife Mary (also a gifted singer and guitar player) as well as their son John (an accomplished fiddle player) were instrumental in bringing concerts and Festivals to the southwest. Charles had another passion, building Dune Buggies! He bought old Volkswagens which he cut down to the frame and then fabricated the body and top. His creations usually included a bench seat in the back and a ROLL-BAR across the top for hanging onto while "ridin" the sand dunes in the desert. This was so fun and very popular in the 70's!! Charles drove his best Dune Buggies in local parades. Being a very generous man, he built them for others too, including his father, brother-in-law, and several friends. A true labor of love! Charles and Margaret were married in 2003 and spent the last 19 years traveling and playing music with family and friends. They also enjoyed camping and fishing with family on Sardis Lake. Charles loved his children and enjoyed attending as many school activities as he could. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucille Harding, wife Mary (of 49 years); his son, John; daughter, Cathy; son, Tommy Breger. Charles is survived by his wife, Margaret (of 19 yrs); sister, Doris Harding Moore & brother-in-law, Glenn Moore; granddaughter, Shannon Ballard; nephews, Michael & Chris Moore; niece, Sheila Collins; uncle, Ron Kirby; cousins, Cecila Duley, Jim Mills, Della Grainger, and Roger McCormick; children by marriage, Les Breger and wife Sadie, Dale Breger, Kenny Breger and wife Carla, Keith Breger and wife Debbie, Harvey Schuster and Mary Kitchen. Pallbearers will be Leslie Breger, Kenney Breger, Keith Breger, Harvey Schuster, John West, and John Krudop Family Visitation will be on Thursday, August 25th, 2022, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at McCarn Funeral Chapel in Clayton, Oklahoma. Graveside services will be on Friday, August 26th, 2022, at 10:00AM at Black Fork Cemetery in Nashoba, Oklahoma. Services have been entrusted to McCarn Funeral Service of Talihina, Oklahoma.

Charles Edgar Harding

September 6, 1935 - August 17, 2022