George Harding; 92-Year Resident, Ex-Fire Chief

George L. Harding, a third-generation Santa Paula pioneer, has died at the age of 92.

Born in Santa Paula, Harding attended school there before going to the National Automobile School in Los Angeles.

Harding worked briefly in Los Angeles County oil fields before getting into the furniture business.

After World War II, Harding started a furniture store with his wife, Mildred, whom he had married in 1926. They ran Harding Furniture in Santa Paula until their retirement in 1965. Afterward, they enjoyed fishing and touring ghost towns. Mildred died in 1991.

Harding was very involved in Santa Paula community affairs, serving on the volunteer fire department from 1928 to 1962 and as fire chief for 12 years.

He was also instrumental in establishing a town park in 1938, now the home of the Santa Paula Little League and the Boys & Girls Club. The site was named George L. Harding Park in 1979.

Harding is survived by three daughters, Barbara Pitts of Sparks, Nev., Beverly Harding of Glendale and Gail Stockton of Quito, Equador.

The public is invited to attend memorial services at Harding Park at 1 p.m. Aug. 4, to be followed by a reception at the Boys & Girls clubhouse.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Santa Paula High School Alumni Assn. Scholarship Fund.