Theodore Harder, Jr., Salina
Obituary for Theodore Harder Jr. | Ryan Mortuary
December 12, 1927 ~ March 5, 2021 (age 93)
Theodore Harder, Jr., 93, passed away on March 5, 2021 at the Salina Regional Health Center. Ted was born in Little River, Kansas to Theodore O. Harder and Rena Harder on December 12, 1927.
Ted is survived by his wife, Doris Harder, and his daughters, Jan Burton of Boulder, Colorado and Conni Williams of Durango, Colorado and his son-in-law, Mike Williams of Durango, Colorado. He has two grandchildren, Anne Burton, of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Allison Cole of Richardson, Texas, and grandson-in-law, Detlef Cole, and two great grandchildren.
Ted grew up in central Kansas and was a standout athlete, holding state records in track and field and excelling in many sports. He served in the post-World War II occupation Army in Japan. He graduated from Emporia State College in Business Administration, where he met his future wife, Doris Anderson. He was a member of the Phi Sigma Gamma fraternity. He was signed by the Yankees to their baseball farm system after graduation, but he later decided to get married and begin teaching.
After the birth of his daughters, he began a 20-year marketing career with Skelly Oil Company, leading to his purchase of the Salina Truck Plaza in 1975. Ted and Doris operated that truck stop for 13 years and he continued to operate a fuel distribution business and service station until his retirement.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, golf, traveling, sports, and playing cards. He was an active member of the YMCA and the Salina Country Club.
A socially-distanced memorial service (face masks required) and livestream (https://www.salinafirst.com/live) will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 15, 2021 at First United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 122 N. 8th, Salina.
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