Jim Harnden passed away January 16th at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, CA after a 6 month battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 13 years, Lynda; sister Leola Rogers of Phoenix, AZ, sister Dorothy Griffin of Jenks, OK; and sister Hazel Buehler of Versailles, MO. He was preceded in death by his mother Effie Mae Hodges and father James Howard Harnden of Rogersville, MO. Jim was born in Cabool, MO.
After high school, Jim enlisted in the U. S. Airforce in 1963, where he was a Titan Missile Guidance Technician. Jim was awarded a Best Titan Wing Trophy for his participation in the 1967 Missile Combat Competition.
Jim spent his professional career in the semiconductor industry, beginning as a technician rapidly becoming a test engineer, a design engineer and finally gaining prominence as a package designer. Jim was employed by GEM Services, Inc. as a Director of Technical Marketing. Jim received 35 patents in packaging design.
Jim loved to golf but his real passion was flying. Jim earned his pilots license in 1991 and then built a RV4 experimental aircraft that he and Lynda have flown all over the Western United States. Jim also owned and flew a Stearman bi-wing aircraft and was working on the restoration of a N3N naval bi-wing trainer.
As per Jim’s request, no services will be held. Jim will be remembered as a perfect gentleman, a loving husband, wonderful friend and missed by all who knew him. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society, c/o Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home.
