PAUL C. HARDING

1928 – 2025
Monday, October 13, 2025, our kind and gentle father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Paul Claude Harding, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family at the Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah. His lifetime spanned 97 years.
Paul was born in Provo, Utah, July 2, 1928, the son of Claude Harding and Eva Clark. When he was young, his family moved from Springville to Provo, where he enjoyed a very happy childhood. He loved airplanes, outdoor games, fishing and swimming in Provo River, and playing ice hockey on Utah Lake. He attended Central and Franklin Elementary Schools, Dixon Jr. High and Provo High School. At age 17, Paul was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and graduated from both Provo High and LDS Seminary in 1946.
After graduation, Paul worked at Geneva Steel and as a brick mason with his father. He attended BYU, then joined the United States Navy in 1950. He faithfully served for four years during the Korean War as a Metal Smith 2nd and 3rd Class stationed in Guam and on the repair ship U.S.S. Dixie.
After his service, he returned to his hometown. There he met and married his sweetheart Sally Colleen Madsen in the Salt Lake Utah Temple on May 5, 1955. Eventually, they welcomed a son and three daughters to their family. Paul worked for Mountain Bell (later US WEST Communications) as a telephone technician for over 34 years.
“Wogg” (his nickname) had a fun sense of humor. He did hilarious impersonations of Donald Duck, loved sharing stories and jokes, and whistled everywhere he went. He delighted many with harmonica renditions of “Moon River,” “Red River Valley,” and other favorites.
Paul was an avid fly fisherman and duck hunter (with black labrador “Cap”), an immaculate gardener, woodcarver, and a self-taught oil painter who enjoyed making “happy little accidents” with Bob Ross. Over time, he created his own artistic style and loved painting animals and landscapes.
Most importantly, Paul loved his family. Weekends at Strawberry, 4th of July BBQs, cousin sleepovers, Disneyland, and more created happy relationships. He and Sally served as family history missionaries, and later, Paul was her compassionate caregiver during her many years of illness. He found joy in his family, daily scripture study, and sharing his testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Paul was constantly humble, always grateful, and tried his very best to “be a good boy.”
Preceding him in death is his wife Sally, his parents, and sister Beverly (Jack) Scott. He is survived by his children David Paul (Kaylene) Harding, JanaLee (Brad) Porter, Teresa Ann (Chris) Wells, and Cheryl Diane (Blair) Parker, 20 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren, and his brother Clark (Kay) Harding.
The viewing is Friday, October 24, 2025, 10:30am-12:00pm at Grandview 7th Ward LDS Chapel (1120 N. 850 W., Provo, UT). A graveside service will follow at 1:15pm at Midway City Cemetery (600 W. 500 S., Midway, UT) where he will be interred.
Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.