Rassie Harden, 98 year old Checotah resident, passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2013 in Tulsa.

He was born on Saturday, December 26, 1914 in Big Cedar, Oklahoma to Sam and Mary Elizabeth (Hamilton) Harden. The Harden family moved to the Checotah area in 1926 by covered wagon.  Rassie attended school at Onapa and has lived in and around Checotah most of his life. He met, fell in love and married his best friend and love of his life, Willie Mae Kennedy on Saturday, August 31, 1940 in Antlers, Oklahoma where he owned and operated Harden Auto Repair. After returning to Checotah in 1960, he was a cattle rancher and a vendor for lime and fertilizer. Rassie enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and playing with his great-great grandchildren. He was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Checotah and belonged to the Checotah Masonic Lodge # 86. Rassie enjoyed visiting with friends and loved the people in his community.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Willie Mae on Monday, July 14, 2008; brothers Jim, Odell and Gene Harden; brother-in-law Jack Hefner; sister Loree Dunegan. Rassie is lovingly survived by his daughter Neoma Buckley and her husband Charles of Checotah; grandchildren Rocky Buckley and his wife Penny of Cookson, Kimberly Stapleton and her husband Dave of Bixby; two great-grandchildren Rebecca Laney and her husband Matt of Ft. Gibson, Chandra James of Tahlequah; two great-great grandchildren Matyson Laney and Mattix Rassie Laney both of Ft. Gibson.  He is also survived by his sister Betty Hefner; sister-in-law Mabel Harden both of Checotah; numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and a host of community and church friends. Funeral services for Rassie will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Checotah with Dr. Chester Ward and Reverend Steve Dennis officiating. Committal prayers and Interment will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery under the personal direction of John Garrett. Jerry Needham, Jerry Parks, Jerry Longcrier, Neal James, Bob James and Rusty Martin will serve as Casket Bearers. 

You may share online condolences with Rassie’s family @www.garrettfamilyfuneralhome.com. The family of Rassie Harden entrusted his care, services and burial to John & Kim Garrett of Garrett Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service 311 SW 2nd Checotah, OK 74426 (918) 473-2244.