Harold Dane Aldrich

Harold Dane Aldrich formerly of Grant County, passed away on November 13, 2024, in the Golden Age Nursing Home in Guthrie, Oklahoma, at the age of 98 years.

Harold Aldrich was born on November 18, 1925, on the Aldrich farmstead north of Medford, Oklahoma, to DeWitt and Cora Aldrich. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Deer Creek in 1931, where Harold entered the Antelope District 72 county school house from first to eighth grade. He completed high school graduating from Deer Creek High School in 1943.

He was drafted into the United States Navy on August 4, 1944, and served on the USS Ganter, a destroyer escort. He was honorably discharged on June 8, 1946. 

Upon arriving home, he met and married Bernita Hardwick of Lamont and they were married in Pond Creek on July 16, 1947. Following marriage, they moved into his parent’s house where he farmed and raised wheat, along with roughnecking in the winters to support his family. In 1960 he built and operated the Dairy Rama in Lamont until 1970. During this same time period, he became a Farm Bureau Insurance agent so his sons could maintain their car insurance. He retired from farming in 1995 and moved into to Blackwell before moving to assisted living in Oklahoma City.

He loved fishing, camping, playing pool with friends, traveling and attending OU football games. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion where he served as legion commander. He also held membership in the Lion’s Club and volunteered to drive the football bus to their games.

He is survived by a daughter, Charlotte Sturtz and husband Frank of Houston, Texas, two sons, Stan Aldrich and wife Wendy of Shawnee, and Tony Aldrich and wife Sandy of Edmond; a sister, Colene Mercer, of Blackwell; ten grandchildren; and twenty eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, Gary Aldrich; a grandson, Charlie Gallamore; two brothers and a sister.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at First Church of Lamont (formerly First United Methodist Church) on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Burial will follow in the Lamont Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Chuck Aldrich, Joe Aldrich, Jim Aldrich, Gordon Mercer, Dave Lauver and Rick Aldrich.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Legion Post 209. Mail donations to Lamont State Exchange Bank, 1280 E. Main, Lamont, OK  74643.

On-line condolences can be made at www.robertsandsonfh.com