Earl Ricky Harding

Lifelong Longview resident Earl Ricky Harding, 69, passed away peacefully Jan. 26, 2022, at St. John Medical Center.

He was born Oct. 7, 1952, in Longview, to Vernon and Edith (Rambo) Harding. Earl was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He graduated from R.A. Long High School and earned an associate’s technical degree in auto body repair and refinishing from Lower Columbia College. Earl then served as an assistant instructor at LCC for eight years.

Earl worked at a variety of machine shops, including Gorley’s Precision Machine. He also worked for the City of Longview Parks Department before retiring from Tollycraft in 2000. He was consistent, methodical, dedicated and reliable.

He enjoyed camping and hiking above Lewis River Horse Camp, jogging and competitive boxing in his youth. In later years he collected jigsaw puzzles of boats, castles and landscapes, and enjoyed woodworking , making speaker cabinets and elaborate kite string spools for his grandchildren. Earl favored animals over most people.

He married Sheryl “Sherry” Booth Oct. 13, 1990. His “Angel Face” survives him at home with his chocolate lab Remmy. Also surviving are five daughters, Heather Holmgren of Elgin, Ore., Lisa Anderson of Longview, Lena Pilkington and Heidi Hamer, both of Castle Rock, and Angelique Harding of Kelso; six grandchildren, Natasha, Robert “Lil Bob” (Charity), Crosby, Claire, Evelyn, and Winston; two great-grandchildren, Brantley and Lillian; a sister, Cher Reid in Georgia; and his best friend, Bill Ogden of Kelso.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Edith Harding; his father-in-law, Richard Booth; and a brother, Clarence Shank.

Earl had a strong faith and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Dan Lindstrom officiated at Earl’s service Feb. 12.

Final arrangements were entrusted to Steele Chapel and Earl was laid to rest at Longview Memorial Park.