Frank "Harkie" J Harkenrider

Frank John “Harkie” Harkenrider, of Hermiston, was born on December 25, 1926 in Hermiston, Oregon to parents, George and Thelma Keel Harkenrider. He died on July 24, 2017 in Hermiston, Oregon at the age of 90 years. Harkie attended all 12 years of school in Hermiston, graduating from Hermiston Union High School in 1945. He attended Oregon State University in Corvallis until he was called into military service. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Eastern Oregon College in LaGrande. Three years later he transferred to the University of Oregon in Eugene. He lacked one credit to earn his degree before his Dad told him “No more Joe College, Time to go to work”. In 1950, he went into business with his father. He took ownership and worked as a Union Oil Consignee for 30 years until he sold out in 1980. He continued to work in the petroleum business until he retired in 1998. 
    November 10, 1954, Frank married Beverly Bellus at the United Methodist Church in hermiston. Frank served on the Hermiston City Council from 1959 until 2012. Following his father’s footsteps of civic service, he ran for Mayor and had a ten year run becoming the first ever father and son to be Mayor of Hermiston. Between work and city business, he never missed a Hermiston High School sporting event, travelling all over the state to see a game. Even making it in his later years to see Hermiston for the first time, become a State Football Champions. He was known to many as Hermiston’s Number One Fan! As a member of the Desert Shrine Club he was proud to have helped over 300 children be admitted to the Shriner’s Hospital. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Elks Lodge, Eagles Lodge, Chamber of Commerce, Umatilla Historical Society, CRC Board, Hermiston Boosters Club, Echo Booster’s Club, and Hermiston Babe Ruth Baseball Program serving as Commissioner for several years. He attended both the Methodist and Christian Churches, but his “calling” was community service “to put Hermiston on the map”. This was when Hermiston was added to the milepost in Pioneer Square in Portland.

    He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Beverly; daughters: Lorene Aasrud and Paul, Lenette Selle and Ed, and Marla Cardenas and Manuel; five granddaughters “The Fabulous Five”: Kendra & Jason Quintero, Lindsay Christie, Sara Selle, Kelly & Ryan Robinson, Kacie & Sam Upperman; 3 great grandchildren: Bryson Selle, Avalon Quintero and Brayton Christie.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 11:15 A.M. At the Hermiston High School Commons, Hermiston, Oregon.

A private burial will be held at the Hermiston Cemetery, Hermiston, Oregon. 

Those who wish may make contributions in his honor to the Harkenrider Senior Center.

Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

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