OBITUARY OF GERALD HARDEN
Gerald “Jerry” Harden, 83, of Haines City, FL, passed away on May 19, 2024. He was born on September 13, 1940, in Dundee, Florida to Lollie and Florence Harden. A lifelong resident of Florida, Jerry graduated from Winter Haven High School and was a proud veteran of the United States Army. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant (SGT) and received several decorations, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Marksman (Rifle M-14), and the 2 overseas service bars.
Jerry worked as a telephone man for 20 years with GTE, now known as Verizon, and later became an investigator for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) until his retirement. He was a longtime member of Eastside Baptist Church in Haines City, where he and his beloved wife, Juanita, were the first couple married in the new church building in 1963. Jerry was a very talented artist who not only painted but also built sets for local community theaters, Christmas and Easter programs at Eastside Baptist Church and other local churches. He also acted and sang in some of these productions. Known for his green thumb, he enjoyed horticulture and loved spending time at the beach. He will be remembered as the king of Dad jokes, always laughing, and as someone who truly loved his wife and family.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Juanita Pruitt Harden; his brother, Larry Harden; and his sister, Linda Hardin. He is survived by his son, Jason Harden and wife Carrie of La Crosse, WI; his daughter, Danielle Branch and husband Fred of Kissimmee, FL; his brothers, Jim and Charlie Harden; his sisters, Caroline Cox and Jan Brisciano; and his grandchildren, Kyle Branch and his wife Kristen, Kameron Branch, PFC USMC Karson Branch, Isabel Harden, and Zoey Harden.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm followed by a funeral service at 3:00 pm, all at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Haines City, FL. Memorial donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
