Harold Loyd Abner, Sr., age 85 of the Villages, Florida, born in Talihina, Oklahoma, went to his eternal Home to be with the Lord whom he loved and served most of his life, on March 19, 2019. He was the loving husband of Dr. Linda Abner for 60 years; father to sons, Dr. Hal Abner (Denise) and Henry Abner (Sunny); grandfather to Natasha (Stephen) and Nicole; uncle to several nieces and nephews and a friend to countless around the world.
Harold proudly served in the United States Air Force (USAF) for 20 years (1951-1971). He was stationed overseas at Nuremberg, Germany, Keflavik, Iceland, Da Nang, Viet-Nam and Tokyo, Japan. He also spent time on several stateside bases.
After retiring from the USAF, Harold, Linda and sons gave many years to foreign and home missionary work. They served in Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, a short tenure in Australia and participated in “Operation Shoebox” in Guatemala. They spent ten years at D&D Missionary Homes St. Petersburg, Florida serving missionaries who were on furlough or preparing to go to the mission field. Harold was always willing to go the second mile and do more than was expected helping other people. He was a generous, kind-hearted, ethical, humble man.
Harold finally retired after working at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Oklahoma. He loved the outdoors and never grew tired of admiring God’s beautiful handiwork. He enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, gardening, and in his later years became an avid stamp collector.
Harold looked forward to the summers in Stillwater when his two granddaughters came to visit. He very patiently and lovingly taught them about fishing, gardening, rabbits, squirrels, dogs, birds and many other animals. He kept their close attention as he shared his childhood tales. Harold will be greatly missed, a true friend of many and will remain in our hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers, Harold’s family asks that a donation be made to LENDAHAND MISSION TEAMS and sent to LENDAHAND MISSION TEAMS, P.O. Box 1023, Newport News, VA 23601, to help fund the building of a church in Harold’s memory. Please write “Harold’s Memory” in the memo section of your check.
A celebration of his life will be held at Oxford Assembly of God Church, 12114 N US Highway 301, Oxford, FL 34484, on Sunday, Marc 24, 2019, at 3:00pm. Family and Friends will gather from 2:00 to 3:00pm. His Military Burial with Full Honors will be at Florid National Cemetery Bushnell, 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513, on Monday, March 25, 2019, promptly from 10:00am – 10:30am. All are welcome to attend. Arrangements are entrusted to Banks/Page-Theus Funerals and Cremations, Wildwood.
