Harold Lee Boggs

Harold Lee Boggs, age 88, of Morrowville, KS, passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at Riverview Estates Nursing Home, in Marquette, KS surrounded by family.

Visitation was from 4 to 8 Thursday, July 13, at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

A funeral service was held at Crossroads Community Church in Washington 2 p.m. Friday, July 14. Pastor Patrick Belsche will officiate.

Burial followed in the Morrowville Cemetery in Morrowville, KS.

Harold Boggs was born on October 9, 1934 to Harold M. and Leona (McMullen) Boggs in Kansas City, MO. He went into the Naval Reserve his junior year of high school. In 1952, he graduated from Edgerton Rural High School and graduated from Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1960 and a Masters Degree in 1966.

He was united in marriage to Helen “Joan” Larrick on September 19, 1954, at the Methodist Church in Edgerton. To this union, four children were born, Gene, Kathryn, Debra and an infant son.

Throughout his teaching career he taught at Jarblo High School, Williamsburg High School, was an Assistant Principal at Valley Center High School, was Principal at Herington High School and later was Principal at North Central High School until his retirement. During this time he was also a coach of many sports, Football, Basketball, Volleyball and Track. He Developed the In School Suspension program that is used nation wide. He believed students should stay in school no matter the circumstance. After retirement he enjoyed substitute teaching and driving bus. Throughout his lifetime he touched so many students lives, but also the students touch his life. Education was his passion in life.

He was a member of the Masons for many years. He also was very active in his local church and served as a Deacon for several years. He also became an ordained minister and ended up performing 2 of his grandsons’ weddings. He enjoyed watching any kind of sport and fishing, but the passion of him and Joann, was camping. They were members of Good Sams camping club and visited many campgrounds through out Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and Missouri. Later they wintered in Victoria, TX.

Harold was always known for his sense of humor, songs and stories. Wherever he went he never met a stranger. He would either tell one of his stories or teach you one of his songs. Some appropriate but a lot not. You cannot talk about Harold without talking about Joan. They were each others world. The best joy in their lives were being grandparents. Harold was the one that didn’t know the word “No”. They were always active in their grandkid’s lives. They tried to be active in their sports, music or any other activity. They never missed a graduation or wedding. They were born to be grandparents.

He is survived by his children, Gene (Jayne) Boggs, McPherson, Kansas and Kathryn (Terry) Holt, Huron, SD; grandchildren, Tylor (Kristin) Boggs, DeWitt, NE, Christopher (Tonya) Striplin, Shawnee, OK, Gerad (Sarah) Boggs, Manhattan, KS, Dawn (Tony) Hieb, Aberdeen, SD and Lara Holt, Huron, SD; and great-grandchildren, Haley Boggs, Hannah Boggs, Callie Striplin, Anisley Boggs, Westen Striplin, Kenna Boggs and Elizabeth Hieb; a sister, Sandie Elrod, Gardner, KS; and sisters-in-law, Floy Curry, Tula Gillespie and Bonnie Ward; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding him in death was his wife of 60 years, H. Joan Boggs; parents, Harold M. and Leona Boggs; in-laws, Ernest W. and Helen Larrick; daughter, Debra (Larry) Rice and an infant son; siblings, Alice Goodson, Peggy Smith and Dorthy Brokscher; sisters-in-law , Betty Hundley, Mary Lou Leslie, Nancy Eckert and Judy Stitt; a brother-in-law, Ernest W. Larrick, Jr.; and grandson, Ronald L. Striplin.

A memorial fund is established to be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home.