Hugh Harnden

On February 28, 2026, Hugh greatly enjoyed his 100 birthday celebration at his residential facility, Georgetown, in Wichita. A large number of people attended, including all of his grandchildren, all of his great-grandchildren, two nieces, three sons of two of his Liberal High School classmates and many friends from his community. However, within a short period of time Hugh’s health deteriorated and he went ”home”, as he often referred to heaven.

Hugh was born in Hugoton, Kansas, but his family soon moved to a small farm about ten miles north and east of Liberal. Until moving on to LHS, Hugh and his siblings attended the one-room country school called “Superior” which was built by all of the farmers in the area for their children. The name of the school reflects the hopefulness and confidence of the parents for their children, which is admirable considering the circumstances of that time. It was Hugh’s job to feed coal into the stove in the middle of the classroom his last two years. He said he wore a light shirt and sweated all day long, and the students on the perimeter of the classroom kept their coats on all day!

Hugh experienced the three primary challenges presented by his era: the depression, the dust bowl and World War II. Times were extremely difficult for everyone, especially farmers. As the oldest son in the family, he first farmed with horses and then drove his father’s early tractors. The depression had already greatly affected farming in Southwest Kansas prior to the Wall Street crash on October 29, 1929. Hugh recalled the famous Black Sunday that occurred on April 14, 1935, when a beautiful day turned dreadful, and Woody Gruthrie said “you couldn’t see your hand before your face.” Liberal was very near the epicenter of the dust bowl, so Hugh’s father had great difficulty growing a garden, much less crops in the fields. His mom could not begin to keep dirt out of the house. It was a terrible challenge just to survive.

Three days after graduating from LHS in May 1944, Hugh was at a Navy bootcamp north of Chicago. Hugh was very surprised to be joined at bootcamp by six other classmates from LHS, which made the camp much better for all of them. After bootcamp, he served on a small transportation ship in the Pacific, near the Philippines. After returning to Liberal in 1946, he married Barbara J. (Freeman) Harnden, and later they had two children, Ron and Rick, who graduated from LHS in 1966 and 1968, respectively. Rick worked in banking in Liberal for many years, and Ron continues to practice law in Wichita.

Hugh began working at Mullen Furniture after his return to Liberal from the war. Later, Lloyd Harp, who had been a teacher and coach at LHS when Hugh attended, opened a furniture and carpet store in Liberal and Hugh joined the business. Hugh and Bill Scantlin worked at Lloyd’s and started their own side business called the “Frosty Mug” serving AAA Root Beer in frosted mugs, along with hamburgers and other food. Needless to say, the “Frosty Mug” was not a successful venture! Later, Hugh and Bill Scantlin, along with Randy and Jim Scantilin, and several others worked at Scantlin Furniture for years.

Hugh loved sports. He played football and ran track for LHS and he loved baseball. He coached kids baseball for several years; he and his sons attended every BJ game when the sons did not have a conflicting game; he was part of the LHS football chain gang for several years; and enjoyed attending wrestling events and basketball games. After discussing the current weather conditions, sports were the common topics for Hugh, his sons and friends throughout his life.

Hugh loved talking with people, and really enjoyed their stories. In Liberal, he was part of a long standing coffee group and regularly ate lunch with friends. Over the years at Georgetown, he organized events and encouraged participation. He loved sitting outside in the warmer months, enjoying the weather, and talking with all the people coming into and leaving Georgetown. He was very popular over the years.

Hugh’s wife, Barbara, suffered from Alzheimer’s in her later life. Hugh was an extraordinary caregiver. He called caregiving the most difficult job he ever performed. Ultimately, Barbara moved into the Good Samaritan facility, but Hugh made twice daily visits and continued visiting patients after his wife passed away because he realized many of the residents were very lonely.

Hugh and his parents and other family members were very active at First United Methodist Church in Liberal. His faith was vital to him. He never had any concern about his death or his afterlife. One of his last conversations was to ask a caregiver to read two scriptures for him: one was the Gospel of John, Chapter 14 and the other was Revelation, Chapter 21.

Calvin Coolidge was the president when Hugh was born, and the population of the United States nearly tripled in his lifetime. He grew up with his family living in much the same manner as farm people lived in the 19th century. In his life, there were massive changes in transportation, space travel, leisure time and television was developed, just to mention a few. He experienced so much change over his lifetime!

Hugh was a tremendous son, sibling, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, worker, mentor, and he lived a life of deep faith. What a role model and inspiration! Even though he moved to Wichita when he was 88 years old, he was always interested in Liberal, Kansas.

Hugh was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Harnden; his wife Barbara J. Harnden; his older sister, Nadin Gahagan and her husband Jim; his brothers-in-law Gene Hale and Dale Sutton; his younger brother Dennis Harnden and his wife Doris; and his daughter-in-law, Regina Harnden (Rick’s wife).

Hugh is survived by his much loved twin sisters Lola Sutton and Loree Hale; his son Rick, Rick’s children, Ryan (Bono) and Rene Obholz (John), their children Emerson, Jaide, Baylor and Jensyn, and by his son Ron (Pam), their children Aaron, Eric, and Emily Lytle (Tony), and their children Nora and Max; and 6 great-grandchildren of Rick and Regina. Hugh’s eyes really lit up when he had the opportunity to see and visit with any of the children.

Viewing will be from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W 2nd Street, Liberal, Kansas.

Hugh’s Service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 20, 2026, in Liberal United Methodist Church. 116 W 3rd St, Liberal, Kansas. Reverend Rex Petty will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that gifts be given in Hugh’s name to Open Door  or Genesis Family Health in care of Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W 2nd Street, Liberal, Kansas.

Open Door is located in Wichita and serves people over a large geographic area.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hornungfuneralhome.com