Harold A Magnus ^{1 2 3 4 5}

  Notes:

No middle name
EAAS book is incorrect in giving Harold a middle name
He may have been intended to have one but he does not.
He has middle initial only. Verified by birth certificate.

  Details of his life include:

• Birth Certificate: Harold A Magnus, Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas. Harold A Magnus Jan 12, 1919
Father Frank L. Magnus age 29, farmer
Mother maiden name: Ruby A. Aley age 31
Rural Route #3, Arkansas City, Kansas, housewife

certified copy in possession of Melba Magnus

• Baby Picture Mar 1919
A Post card picture with handwritten on back "Harold Aley Magnus, 2 mos."

• He appeared on the 1920 U. S. Federal census in Creswell Twsp, Cowley County, Kansas
In the household of F. L. Magnus,
-Harold, son, MW 11/12, single, Kans, Kans, Kans ⁵

• Harold A Magnus [2422] Attended Baldwin School 1924 in Arkansas City, Kansas Magnus, Harold: 1/12/1919: Mother Ruby Magnus: Arkansas City: 1924
⁶

• He appeared on the 1930 U. S. Federal census in Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas
In the household of Frank Magnus,
Harold Magnus , son, MW 11, Kansas, Kansas, Kansas ⁴

• Harold Magnus with his Lemaster cousins 1938
Gayle Lemaster and Harold Magnus
Evelyn Aley and Billy Lemaster

• Harold campaigning for "IKE" for president. Photo
Harold was very active in Republican politics.

• His obituary was published in the Port Arthur News on 17 Oct 2010 in Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas.
Harold A Magnus
Harold A Magnus, 91, of Groves, died Friday, October 15, 2010 at his home. Harold was born on a farm near Arkansas City, Kansas, January 12, 1919, in the middle of a snow storm. His parents were Ruby and Frank Magnus.

When he was only 6, Harold began his work career selling magazines door to door. His work ethic remained with him his entire life. He worked his way through school and graduated from high school and junior college in Arkansas City, Kansas. He then graduated from Kansas State in Manhattan Kansas with a degree in Chemical Engineering.

Harold married his wife Melba on Oct.4, 1942, in Wellington Kansas. Since 1943 they have lived in Port Arthur and Groves, where she still resides. He worked as a chemical engineer for Gulf Oil Company from 1943 until his retirement in 1982.

Since retirement Harold and Melba have spent several months each year at their second home on Maui where he was well known for his participation in friendly Beach Bocce tournaments.

Many of Harold's activities revolved around his family and community service. An Eagle Scout himself, he was active in Boy Scouts while both of his boys were in the organization. He was involved in Camp Fire and Bluebirds organizations as a father, and spent many hours working at Camp Waluta. He served with his wife Melba as a chaperone for many parties and activities at church, scouts, Camp Fire and school.
Harold was a team manager of Little League Baseball for several years, and served as League President. He was very instrumental in obtaining lighting for the Pleasure Island playing field. Harold was active in First United Methodist Church Port Arthur and The Methodist Temple. He taught Sunday school and served as Superintendent of Junior High, Senior High and overall youth programs. He served on many church committees including finance for many years. He was a member of the Wesley Sunday School class.

Among Harold's many activities, he loved to play bridge. He played in duplicate bridge tournaments for many years. He belonged to Toastmasters and he served on the board and as president of Knife and Fork club. He belonged to the Port Arthur Camera Club, and he developed his own pictures for several years. He was an avid stamp collector. He also served on the board of the Community Home. Lions Club was dear to Harold's heart. He was an active member of Founders Lions Club, and was a member of the Texas Lions Camp Century Club for twenty-one years.

A life-long Republican, Harold served as a Republican precinct chairman and was active in the campaigns of "Ike", John Tower and Barry Goldwater, among others.

All who knew him will miss his sharp mind and his wonderful sense of humor.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 18, 2010 at The Methodist Temple in Port Arthur with Reverend Jesse Brannen officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be held immediately following the service at the church. Burial will be in Austin Cemetery in Sumner County, Kansas.
Harold Magnus is survived by his wife, Melba Greathouse Magnus; four children, Judy Kay Maddox and husband, Lewis of Lake Fork, Texas ; Harold Neal Magnus and wife, Carol of Plano, Texas; Carol Lynn Leonard and husband, Stanley of Bellaire, Texas; and James Paul "Jim" Magnus and wife, Kimberlee of Little Rock, Arkansas;
eleven grandchildren, Michael Segrest and wife, Claudia; Christopher Todd Segrest and wife, Sarah; Duane Wesley Magnus and wife, Polly; Suzanne Nicole Magnus; Jenny Leonard Thrash and husband, Todd; Dr. Douglas Sidney Leonard and wife, Young-A; and Katie , Claire, Rebekah, John Michael and Stephen Magnus;
six great-grandchildren, Dylan Segrest; Jonathan and Madeline Magnus; William and Izzy Thrash; and Elli Leonard.
Friends wishing to make memorial contributions may send them to: The Methodist Temple, Music Fund, 4101 Hwy 73, Port Arthur, Tx. 77642 or Texas Lions League for Crippled Children, Box 247, Kerrville, Tx. 78029.

• Tombstone photo 28 May 2011 Anson - Austin Cemetery, Sumner County, Kansas
photo by Stan Leonard

Harold married Melbadine Greathouse, daughter of Sidney Neal "Neal" Greathouse and Cloa Seitz.