Monday, September 28, 2020

Obituary - Harold Lee Six

Courtesy 921news.com

Harold Lee Six, age 86 of Adrian

Harold Lee Six, 86, died September 25, 2020 at his home in rural Adrian.  Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the Adrian United Methodist Church.  Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. with Masonic Services at 11:45 a.m.  Burial will follow in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian.  In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Adrian Optimist Club and Crescent Hill Masonic Lodge #368. 

Harold was born on July 22, 1934, the second son of C.A. and Naomi King Six. He graduated from Adrian High School in 1952, earned Eagle Scout distinction with Troop #238, and later served in the U.S. Army being stationed in Germany.  Harold retired after 20 years of service as the Rural Water District #5 Superintendent in 1999.  Harold was an Adrian Bank Board of Director until 2014 and was currently serving as an Advisory Director.

Harold married Thelma Massey of Lebanon on May 29, 1955.  Together, they raised three children on the family farm northwest of Adrian:  Cheryl Lawrence of Adrian, Darla Six of Harrisonville, and Cary (Lara) Six of Adrian.

Giving back to the Adrian community and Bates County was important to Harold.  He volunteered countless hours of time to many civic organizations.  He was a 60-year member of the Crescent Hill Masonic Lodge #368. Harold was a charter member of the Adrian Optimist Club where he served as president the year the first community building was built, grilled burgers under the tree at the City Park for numerous 4th of July celebrations, and was kitchen boss on Monday nights for Bingo at the old and new building many years. He was proud to be a tri-chairman of the Adrian Bi-Centennial Book project.  Taking money and chatting with vendors and visitors for Optimist gun shows was something he looked forward to twice a year.

Harold loved being a cattleman and was a member of the Bates County Cattlemen’s group. As a young man, he worked for the Cavanah-Purdy Polled Hereford Ranch in Luther, Oklahoma and traveled with a show string on the professional circuit.  His claim to fame was having showed cattle in every state fair west of the Mississippi (and many to the east).  He passed his love and knowledge for showing on to his children and other community kids as a 4-H beef leader.  His daily routine included going to the pasture to keep tabs on his cow & calf herd. 

Harold wanted the youth of the Adrian community to thrive. To keep the best better as the Optimist theme states, he helped organize the Adrian Booster Club and served early on as president.  He was an avid supporter of his children, grandchildren, and other community kids at various Blackhawk events.  He helped form the Bates County Fair and served on its board for many years and was honored as his family received the “Friends of the Fair” recognition in 2018. 

Harold’s favorite pastimes included nurturing and tending to huge vegetable gardens, hunting with his buddies, taking Foxtrotters out on trail rides, adding to his collections of guns and pocketknives, and being a part of numerous shed “board meetings” with Milsap neighbors. He looked forward each day to going to town and chatting with the coffee club.  He’d make various stops at local businesses to get caught up on news and happenings.   Harold and Thelma were season ticket holders to Mizzou football for over 50 years.  Early on they spent many Saturday afternoons in Columbia tailgating with friends and later with his children and grandchildren.  His enthusiasm for life and presence will leave a big void in many lives. 

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, brother, G. J. Six, and son-in-law, Monte Lawrence.  He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Thelma, of the home; his three children; daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren, whom he deeply loved:  Rebecca Lawrence of Lakewood, CO,  J.R. (Erica) Lawrence of Boonville, MO, Makyna (Drew) Scott of Raymore, MO, and Bayler and Kyler Six of Adrian; sister-in-law, Reine Six of Holiday, FL; one cousin, Sue Ann (Ed) Steele of Butler, MO.  Harold was also blessed with numerous other relatives and friends. 

Harold’s commitment to his family and community will be greatly missed.

Search news