Harry Moore Denham, Sr. passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 5, 2017 from injuries suffered from a fall in his beloved pole barn. He was 83 years old. Harry was a loving husband, wonderful dad, great grandpa, great-great grandpa, brother, uncle and a friend to many. He was born in Somerset, Kentucky and made Peru his home since he was a teenager.
His lifetime love for building and flying experimental aircraft, working as a conductor on the C & O railroad for 47 years, building Harry’s portion of the Nickel Plate trail, planting gardens and his continuous collection of stuff in his pole barn kept him occupied while working and in retirement.
He was a loving caregiver to wife Betty of 64 years, making pancakes with strawberries with whipped cream for breakfast, all under her supervision. He was also a master of making peanut butter fudge.
He was the best dad you could ask for in the world. He always wanted the best for his three sons, daughter, grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He always taught them things they ought to know about life and living. He also knew had to play. He could fix anything and everything. If it was broken, he would take it apart and put it all back together again. And, he never liked to throw anything away just in case he might need it someday.
Always an adventurer, he had numerous hobbies such as going to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the annual Experimental Aircraft Convention and perusing the Fly Market looking for more stuff to buy. He used to go hunting, fishing and boating with his brothers. He took the family on many car trips to see the country, visit his brothers, sisters and friends. Two of his favorite trips involved a recent trip to Dayton, Ohio, to the Dayton Air Museum with his flying buddies and several years ago a visit to San Diego on-board the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise watching daytime flights operations.
He will be greatly missed by everyone. He is survived by wife Betty Lou Poage Denham, sons Harry Jr., (Marie), Matt (Carla), Dwight (Aida) and daughter Karen (Greg). Grandson Harley Denham, granddaughters, Michelle Hudson (Gabe) and Jennifer Denham. Great-great granddaughters, Adele, Ayla and Aubrey Hudson. Also surviving is brother James Denham, Jr. and sister Norma Jean Montgomery. He was predeceased by his parents, James and Pearl Denham; brothers Charles, Dean Oscar, Howard, Ted, Noel, Raymond; sisters Beatrice, Bercil, Hazel, Georgia and Dorothy.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 from 4pm – 7pm at Flowers Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 10am at the funeral home with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery immediately following. Pastor Kenny Cole will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be sent to the endowment fund for Nickel Plate trail maintenance. Please make check’s payable to the Miami County Community Foundation, 13 E. Main St, Peru, IN 46970 and specify the Nickel Plate Trail Endowment Fund.
Godspeed to you, Dad. I hope the flight to heaven was smooth, the skies are sunny and wind is behind your back. We will love you forever.