Herman Harold Overton passed away peacefully on July 5, 2024, in San Diego, California, at the age of 89. Harold ‘Hal’, as he was known, was born in a barn on June 21, 1935, in Blytheville, Arkansas, the 3rd of Herman & Jessie Overton’s four children, along with 3 older half-siblings. That same year, Harold’s family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he grew up and attended school until he left as a teenager.

Harold had an insatiable curiosity about what makes things work, and he was excited to attend the Hadley Technical High School in St. Louis, to learn Aero Mechanics. They had airplanes in the school to work on. Unfortunately, the school had to drop the program and Harold was left with crushed dreams. He decided to quit high school and enlist in the Navy at the age of 17 in 1952.

Harold was sent to San Diego for Boot Camp and then assigned to the USS San Joaquin County. In 1953, Harold had the first of 3 deployments to Korea during the Korean War. He began as a seaman recruit but entered the engineering department where he became a Fireman electrician. During this time, he passed the GED to graduate from high school. He eventually transferred to the USS Pickaway and attained the rank of EMS2, Electricians Mate Second Class. Harold was honorably discharged in 1956 upon which he had served 4 years and 2 months.

After Harold’s discharge from the Navy, he moved to La Puente, California where he married and had two children. He started a job as a Lineman with General Telephone & Electronics ‘GTE’ and when his first son Steve was born, the family moved to Hacienda Heights, California where he purchased his first home. Harold moved through different positions and different cities with GTE during which time his daughter Kellee was born, and he attended various junior colleges to earn his AS degree, as well as a state teaching credential and a supervisors Certificate. He also began a several year career with the Rotary Club.

In 1974 Harold was transferred to Redlands where he received his BA from the University of Redlands attending night school. During the 1980’s, and with his degree, he moved to Pomona, CA and was assigned the position of Pomona Valley District Public Relation Manager. He also became the President of the Rotary Club and the President of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1985, Harold got remarried to Connie Overton, a longtime old friend, and gained a stepson Scott and stepdaughter Kristi. Harold retired from GTE in 1993 after 37 years of service, and he and Connie made the move to San Diego.

Harolds love of ‘figuring things out’ was a thread which wound throughout his life, and it revealed itself in home remodeling and handyman work. After his retirement, he spent his time renovating his and Connie’s San Diego homes, worked part time as a handyman, got his real estate license, worked as a property manager for his daughter Kellee and ‘flipped houses’ before it was a thing. He was also an inventor of tools to improve the home maintenance experience. He had many things patented and was constantly finding ways to make the job easier.

Harold was a doting and dedicated husband to his wife Connie. He always said he was put on this earth to take care of her, and he did so until the end. Harold is survived by his son Steve, daughter Kellee (Sean), stepson Scott (Viki), stepdaughter Kristi (Dave); nine grandchildren: Brandon, Christopher, Jacqueline, Tyler, Khylee, Zachary, Katie, Court, Zachary and Russell; His sister Dianne, and many loving great grandchildren, cousins, friends, and neighbors. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 10:00 am on Monday August 12, at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. An internment with military honors will follow the service at 2:00 pm at the Miramar National Cemetery. Details will be provided at the service.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Harold’s favorite causes: Tunnel to Towers Foundation which helps support America’s heroes. Information: https://t2t.org/donate/. Or

Wounded Warriors which helps support injured warriors, caregivers and family members. Information: https://support.woundedwarrio….

Church at Rancho Bernardo, 11740 Bernardo Plaza Ct., San Diego, CA 92128

Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA 92122

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