Joseph Ervin Harden, 77, of Amarillo died Sunday, July 20, 2008.

Graveside services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Cemetery with Bobby File, pastor of Evangelical Fellowship Church, officiating. Memorial services will be at 11:30 a.m. in Evangelical Fellowship Church with Bobby File, pastor officiating. Arrangements are by Griggs-Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 5400 S. Bell St.

Mr. Harden was born Jan. 22, 1931, near Leesville, to Clate Samuel and Hattie Rhodes Harden, and was the 10th of 15 children. Joe attended school in Gillette and Karnes City.

He completed training as a licensed barber before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1951. He was stationed in Yuma, Ariz, where he met and married Edith Garrison in 1954. After 23 years and working his way up, he retired from Arizona Public Service Company as a shift supervisor.

Joe's greatest gift was serving others. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Yuma, where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and handyman.

He also looked after those in need, especially the sick, shut-ins and widows to cut their hair, take them to medical appointments, help with home repairs or just to help ease their loneliness. After moving to Amarillo, Mr. Harden became a member of Evangelical Fellowship Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clate S. Harden Jr. and Jesse D. Harden; four sisters, Lillian Harbuck, Beatrice Simpsen, Beulah Gunter and Joyce Davidson.

Survivors include his wife, Edith; four daughters, Denise Autry and husband Blake of Amarillo, Dianne Johnson and husband Kevin of Dallas, Jolyn Safranek and husband Vic of Phoenix, and Marcia Libsack and husband Lon of Tempe, Ariz.; three brothers, Amos Harden of Kenedy, Billy Harden of Corpus Christi, and Don Harden of Spring; four sisters, Alene Lohse of Nixon, Velma Brown of Karnes City, Darlene Royal and Shirley Bohanan, both of Caldwell; nine grandchildren, Lauren Autry Lusk and husband Chance, Kristen Autry, Aaron Johnson and wife Lori, Andrea Johnson, Drew Johnson, Kristen Didway Davidson and husband Carlin, Matthew Safranek, Tanner Libsack and Paige Libsack; and a great-granddaughter, Ava Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to BSA Hospice & Life Enrichment Center, P.O. Box 950, Amarillo, TX 79105.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at Griggs-Schooler Gordon Funeral Home.

Send online condolences at www.mem.com.

Amarillo Globe-News, July 22, 2008