Harold Henry Pemberton

Harold Henry Pemberton, son of Elmer Harold Pemberton and Ica Amy Sinclair Pemberton, was born October 31, 1927 on a farm near Kingfisher, Oklahoma. He was called home to heaven on March 18, 2023 with family by his side while living in Bedford, Texas. He died of natural causes. He was the fourth of 9 siblings: Virgil Francis Pemberton, Emily Adiela Pemberton Cook, Chrettie Jane Pemberton, Thelma Elizabeth Pemberton Hightower, Nancy Jane Pemberton Tripp, Mable Linette Pemberton Hicks, Nellie Marie Pemberton Pennington, and Naomi Ruth Pemberton Newberry.

He moved with his family to a farm near Fay, Oklahoma in about 1939 where he attended Harvard Middle School and graduated from Fay High School in 1947. With the strong encouragement of the Superintendent of the Fay School District, he then enrolled at Oklahoma State University where he earned a Bachler’s Degree in Soil Science in 1951. Harold was the first in his extended family to complete a college degree and inspired a sister, 2 grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews to choose OSU for college studies. He fully supported himself through school which included various jobs while on the OSU campus and working with the wheat harvest crews during the summers starting in Oklahoma and ending in North Dakota each year. During his time at OSU, he was also in ROTC and was given a commission in the Army as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. He fought valiantly in the Korean War where he served as an intelligence officer in the bunkers during the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge. He was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in August 1953.

Soon after he returned home, he met Joy Carol Wilmeth in Thomas, Oklahoma. They married in Thomas in January 1954. Their love resulted in four children: Harold Brent Pemberton (1955), Douglas James Pemberton (1956), Pamela Joy Pemberton Grissom (1960), and Paul Scott Pemberton (1965). The family started out in Temple, Texas and lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, and Kansas prior to settling in Hurst, Texas in 1969. They moved to Bedford, Texas in 2021. His entire working career was with the International Mineral and Chemical Company where he started as a Sales Representative in 1953. After a stint in management, he retired as Account Executive in 1992. His career was a service to the farming community he loved as a member of the plant food industry.

Harold joined the United Methodist Church in 1954 upon his marriage to Joy. He remained a faithful and active member until his death. He was active in Sunday School and served for many years on the ushering team where he mentored many new members for this service. He lived his faith by knowing and caring for neighbors who needed his help and support.

Throughout his life, Harold loved having fun with his family and friends. He learned to dance while in college where he enjoyed honing his talent and always enjoyed events where dancing was a part of the evening. He was an avid golfer his entire adult life and enjoyed a good game with both family and friends. He even scored five holes-in-one and never met a golf course he didn’t like! He traveled extensively creating many fond memories with family and friends. His farm boy roots imbued him with a love for gardening and the outdoors. And families and friends alike have fond memories of his love of a good card game, be it Bridge with close friends or Pitch tournaments with extended family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years and their children Brent (Indre Julija Bildusas Pemberton), Doug (Lisa Nell Brignac Pemberton), Pam, and Paul (Lisa Carmel Bacala Pemberton). He was beloved PaPa to his surviving eight grandchildren Aleksandras Jonas Pemberton (Olivia Joy Brach Pemberton), Diana Ruth Pemberton, Corey James Pemberton (Maria Alejandra Fiallos Pemberton), Collin Joseph Pemberton, Samuel Douglas Pemberton, Cole Austin Grissom, Adrienne Joy Grissom Metzker (Cameron Michael Metzker), and Shannon Amy Pemberton; his surviving seven great-grandchildren Gabriel Michael Pemberton, Rosemary Joy Pemberton, Jude Aleksandras Pemberton, Thea Julija Pemberton, Marcus Alexander Pemberton, Sebastian James Pemberton, and Wells Coalson Metzker; and a great-grandson Thaddeus Jonas Pemberton that preceded him to heaven. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law who were also an important part of his life. He was the last of his siblings to pass and was proud of his 27 surviving nieces and nephews and their families.

Memorials can be made to:
Harold Pemberton Scholarship Fund for Higher Education, First United Methodist Church, 521 Pipeline Road, P.O. Box1461, Hurst Texas, 76053.
or
American Cancer Society.