Harold Edward North

Harold Edward North, 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka.

Harold North was born on January 8, 1933, to Jim and Alice North, on a farm in Clay County, Kansas. Harold was born on the same date as Elvis but 2 years older.

Harold attended high school in Chapman and worked on various farms in Clay County until taking a job in Enterprise, Kansas with JD Ersham Foundry. He worked for the Foundry until January 29, 1952 when he volunteered to join the Army. Harold was a Signal Corpsman in the Army and earned the rank of Sergeant. He spent one week short of one year in Korea before being honorably discharged, January 14, 1954.

In 1952, while stationed in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, the Army pulled Harold out of basic training to play ball. Among his teammates was baseball hall of famer, Whitey Ford. Harold was a good fast pitch softball player and spent most of his playing days on a softball diamond but started playing baseball in Clay County at the age of 15 for the Clay Center American Legion team as a catcher. Harold declined an offer to play catcher for a Milwaukee Braves farm team in 1954.

After returning to the iron foundry to work after his tour of duty, Harold left his foundry job in Clay County in the fall of 1954 and began work in Topeka at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber. Harold retired from Goodyear in July 1994 after a 40-year career. He held many positions, retiring as an inspector of earth mover tires.

He married Mary Louise Anderson on May 27, 1955, in Clay Center, Kansas. Together they had four children, Pam, Jay, Doug, and Terri.

Harold coached his boy's teams at SCABA for 13 years and his daughter's fast pitch softball team for 3 years. Harold also was on the SCABA Board of Directors, and had the responsibility as groundskeeper for many years. Harold coached over 100 kids at SCABA and tried to give them lessons they could apply not just on the baseball field but also for life.

The Harold North Field at the Bettis Family Sports Complex was dedicated on September 25, 2010. Harold was honored by being inducted into the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame in July 2016.

Harold's dedication to the kids, respect for the rules, and his teaching made a difference in the lives of many kids who took the experience of competition, hard work and team dedication and applied to their life. Harold North's service to SCABA and his many contributions to the boys of summer at SCABA is his Legacy.

Harold and Mary were longtime members of Calvary Lutheran Church. He enjoyed gardening, transporting cars for various car dealerships in Topeka, and watching his beloved St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary North; four children, Pam North Miller, Jay North, Doug (Kim) North, and Terri (Chris) North Williams; seven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

Harold was preceded in death by four brothers and sisters.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 26, 2017, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 4211 NW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66617. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.

A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, Topeka.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606, or the Harold North Foundation c/o Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, 1800 SE 21st Street, Topeka, KS 66607.