Darrell “D.L.” Harding, age 87, of Miles City.

Darrell Leroy “D.L.” Harding passed away the morning of October 15, at Holy Rosary Healthcare of natural causes, surrounded by family.  D.L. was 87 years young.  D.L. was born on February 16, 1934, in Miles City, Montana to Eileen Overturf and Floyd E. Harding.

D.L. worked and played hard his whole life. When he was young, he worked picking peas in the fields in California, and as a trail guide during high school, as well as playing football, basketball, and baseball.  D.L. also lived in several different places before graduating from high school in Redding, California. Immediately after graduating he returned to Miles City and attended one year of junior college at Miles Community College, where he played basketball.  After that year he enlisted in the Army, where he served for 2 years 11 months, earning the rank of sergeant working as a paratrooper; being honorably discharged in May 1958 after a knee injury.  Again, he returned to Montana, living in Rosebud, working for Dan Lockie until the Lockie ranch was sold.  He then went to work for the SH ranch after Dan Lockie bought it in 1959.  During that time, he met the woman he would spend his life with, Willene Lockie, and they were wed on a hot day, August 26, 1962.

D.L. and Willene moved onto the ranch on Sunday Creek, where they would eventually buy the ranch from Willene’s parents and grow it through hard work. To this marriage came two sons, William “Bill” on March 14, 1964, and Craig April 19, 1969.  D.L. loved his sons, teaching them all he knew about ranching, how to fix anything, how to be a good man.  He loved the animals on the ranch, many of them became pets, not just the dogs and cats, but sheep, horses, especially his horse Slivers, and the cows. He was truly happiest taking care of the animals on the ranch, especially the cows.  There was really nothing that D.L. couldn’t do, if he didn’t know how, he would figure it out. In Miles City he also drove truck for Ray Jerrell, worked for L.P. Anderson and the Miles City Livestock Center.

D.L.’s hard working ethics also flowed into helping others, he was known to help any neighbor in need. He enjoyed everything about the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, trailing cattle, braking horses, and farming. Taking a family fishing trip to the Pryor Mountains every year was a big highlight. He was also a voracious reader, especially of Louis Lamour and Western Horseman, and a lover of any John Wayne movie. Over everything D.L.’s family was the focus of his life. He always made sure that he was present at as many of his son’s school events as possible, especially the sporting events. D.L.’s enjoyment of children was evident throughout his life. He took in in his nephew’s, Scott and Rory, during their high school years.  He also loved his grandchildren, watching their events as much as possible. He was proud of them all.

D.L. was preceded in death by his parents, son, Bill. D.L. is survived by his wife of 68 years, Willene, son Craig (Denita) granddaughters Haley, Katelyn, and Sydney; daughter-in-law Roxanne, grandsons Matthew (Jodie), James (Kassy) and Emerson; nephew Scott (L’Dene) McAvoy, Trey, Nathan, Kyle, and Madeline, Craig, Rory, Drew, and niece Ashley as well as numerous other nieces and nephews. D.L. was also blessed with two brothers, Glen Harding and Larry Harding and a half brother, Jim Patrick.

Memorials can be sent in the form of a donation to Miles Community College.

Special thanks to those who cared for D.L. while he was in the hospital.  To Larry Phalen, Gail Shaw and Pat Linger for their participation in the services, as well as being friends of D.L.’s throughout the years. Special thanks to Kathy Boutelle “Katrina” for her presence at the hospital.  D.L. had a special place in his heart for her.

Family will receive friend on Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.  Military graveside services will be held on Friday, October 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:  www.stevensonandsons.com or mailed to Willene Harding, 3764 Kinsey Rd., Miles City, MT, 59301 .

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Thursday October 21, 2021

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

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Graveside Service with Full Military Honors

10:00 a.m.

Friday October 22, 2021

Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery

Miles City, Montana 59301

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