Always a farmer at heart, James “Hank” Harrington was a generous man who loved to make strangers into new friends. He was born June 30, 1930 in Kalamazoo to Kendall & Christine (Brodie) Harrington. He grew up on his family’s farm where he developed an early love for the visible benefits of hard work. The family grew onions, wheat, and raised milking cows and pigs. Hank graduated from Plainwell High School in 1948.
Hank began a job at Consumer’s Power Company in 1949, as a lineman. In 1951 he joined the United States Air Force, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. Serving during the Korean War, Hank was originally stationed in Michigan before he was transferred to Europe. In Europe, he was stationed at several NATO posts across the continent.
In high school, Hank began to date a young lady named Charlene Buxton. A farm boy at heart, he even picked her up on one of their first dates on a tractor. It was a combination of the nice looking young man on the tractor and the gentle and kind way he treated her that won over Charlene. They were married on December 9, 1951. The young couple was able to live together while he was stationed in the US. However when he took his transfer the couple spent many months apart. During this time their first son was born. One of the best days of Hank’s life was his return from Europe, to be with his eight month old son and his new bride. They connected again as if no time had passed. The family moved together to California where Hank finished his tour of duty at George Air Force Base.
After his discharge from the service the couple returned to Plainwell, where Hank resumed his job as a lineman with Consumer’s Power. He made many good friends while working on the line. Hank retired in 1985, which allowed him more time for his true passion farming and tractors.
Hank spent many hours working the hay fields and caring for his beef cattle. He was a Director of the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association. He also created an innovative new method to store hay, which caught the eye of many other farmers. More than the farming itself he always had a great love for the farm. The Harrington farm was a sesquicentennial farm, which had many years of laborious love poured into the land. He lived somewhere on the property his whole life. Charlene & Hank built a new home across the field from the original house. In later years while remodeling the old family farm they used many cypress boards from an old barn that stood on the property. They created a new home with many old traditions and great heritage.
Hank collected antique tractors and never spoke those dreaded words: John Deere. He worked many long hours restoring and fixing his collection, which included many Red Power Tractors. Hank & Charlene traveled around the US to tractor shows. He engaged in conversation with anyone who would talk with him. He was a people person and anyone who loved tractors was a wonderful kind of person to Hank. He belonged to the Kalamazoo Valley Antique Engines Association and Red Power- an International Tractor Organization.
As much love and passion as he had for his farm and tractors, it never compared to the care and compassion he gave to Charlene and their three children. He was always willing to do what he could for the kids especially when it was to cut their hair (as long as it was a buzz cut). Charlene and Hank spent many wonderful years together traveling and creating their own adventures. Each fall the couple traveled to a different location in the US. Shortly after Hank’s retirements their children sent them on a trip to Hawaii.
His family enjoyed his love for debating politics and unselfish contributions that he made to friends and family. His family includes his loving wife of 52 years Charlene Harrington of Plainwell; children: Tim & Nancy Harrington of Valparaiso, IN; Bill & Jade Harrington of Plainwell, and Sue & Marvin Brenner of Plainwell; a sister Carol Noble of Oklahoma and brother Dan Harrington of Plainwell; grandchildren: Katie, Abe, Jeremiah, Ben, Anna, Beth, Paul, & Josie; and a great-granddaughter Kendall Haley Harrington.
Hank died on his farm July 17, 2003. He was preceded in death by his sister Ann Thurston. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, July 20 from 1-3 & 5-7 PM at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, where the Celebration of Life service will be held Monday at 2 pm. To read Hank’s life story, share a memory with his family, or make a memorial contribution to the Tiller’s International or charity of choice, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Plainwell Location
120 South Woodhams Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5881
Hank began a job at Consumer’s Power Company in 1949, as a lineman. In 1951 he joined the United States Air Force, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. Serving during the Korean War, Hank was originally stationed in Michigan before he was transferred to Europe. In Europe, he was stationed at several NATO posts across the continent.
In high school, Hank began to date a young lady named Charlene Buxton. A farm boy at heart, he even picked her up on one of their first dates on a tractor. It was a combination of the nice looking young man on the tractor and the gentle and kind way he treated her that won over Charlene. They were married on December 9, 1951. The young couple was able to live together while he was stationed in the US. However when he took his transfer the couple spent many months apart. During this time their first son was born. One of the best days of Hank’s life was his return from Europe, to be with his eight month old son and his new bride. They connected again as if no time had passed. The family moved together to California where Hank finished his tour of duty at George Air Force Base.
After his discharge from the service the couple returned to Plainwell, where Hank resumed his job as a lineman with Consumer’s Power. He made many good friends while working on the line. Hank retired in 1985, which allowed him more time for his true passion farming and tractors.
Hank spent many hours working the hay fields and caring for his beef cattle. He was a Director of the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association. He also created an innovative new method to store hay, which caught the eye of many other farmers. More than the farming itself he always had a great love for the farm. The Harrington farm was a sesquicentennial farm, which had many years of laborious love poured into the land. He lived somewhere on the property his whole life. Charlene & Hank built a new home across the field from the original house. In later years while remodeling the old family farm they used many cypress boards from an old barn that stood on the property. They created a new home with many old traditions and great heritage.
Hank collected antique tractors and never spoke those dreaded words: John Deere. He worked many long hours restoring and fixing his collection, which included many Red Power Tractors. Hank & Charlene traveled around the US to tractor shows. He engaged in conversation with anyone who would talk with him. He was a people person and anyone who loved tractors was a wonderful kind of person to Hank. He belonged to the Kalamazoo Valley Antique Engines Association and Red Power- an International Tractor Organization.
As much love and passion as he had for his farm and tractors, it never compared to the care and compassion he gave to Charlene and their three children. He was always willing to do what he could for the kids especially when it was to cut their hair (as long as it was a buzz cut). Charlene and Hank spent many wonderful years together traveling and creating their own adventures. Each fall the couple traveled to a different location in the US. Shortly after Hank’s retirements their children sent them on a trip to Hawaii.
His family enjoyed his love for debating politics and unselfish contributions that he made to friends and family. His family includes his loving wife of 52 years Charlene Harrington of Plainwell; children: Tim & Nancy Harrington of Valparaiso, IN; Bill & Jade Harrington of Plainwell, and Sue & Marvin Brenner of Plainwell; a sister Carol Noble of Oklahoma and brother Dan Harrington of Plainwell; grandchildren: Katie, Abe, Jeremiah, Ben, Anna, Beth, Paul, & Josie; and a great-granddaughter Kendall Haley Harrington.
Hank died on his farm July 17, 2003. He was preceded in death by his sister Ann Thurston. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, July 20 from 1-3 & 5-7 PM at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, where the Celebration of Life service will be held Monday at 2 pm. To read Hank’s life story, share a memory with his family, or make a memorial contribution to the Tiller’s International or charity of choice, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Plainwell Location
120 South Woodhams Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5881
Always a farmer at heart, James “Hank” Harrington was a generous man who loved to make strangers into new friends. He was born June 30, 1930 in Kalamazoo to Kendall & Christine (Brodie) Harrington. He grew up on his family’s farm where he developed an early love for the visible benefits of hard work. The family grew onions, wheat, and raised milking cows and pigs. Hank graduated from Plainwell High School in 1948.
Hank began a job at Consumer’s Power Company in 1949, as a lineman. In 1951 he joined the United States Air Force, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. Serving during the Korean War, Hank was originally stationed in Michigan before he was transferred to Europe. In Europe, he was stationed at several NATO posts across the continent.
In high school, Hank began to date a young lady named Charlene Buxton. A farm boy at heart, he even picked her up on one of their first dates on a tractor. It was a combination of the nice looking young man on the tractor and the gentle and kind way he treated her that won over Charlene. They were married on December 9, 1951. The young couple was able to live together while he was stationed in the US. However when he took his transfer the couple spent many months apart. During this time their first son was born. One of the best days of Hank’s life was his return from Europe, to be with his eight month old son and his new bride. They connected again as if no time had passed. The family moved together to California where Hank finished his tour of duty at George Air Force Base.
After his discharge from the service the couple returned to Plainwell, where Hank resumed his job as a lineman with Consumer’s Power. He made many good friends while working on the line. Hank retired in 1985, which allowed him more time for his true passion farming and tractors.
Hank spent many hours working the hay fields and caring for his beef cattle. He was a Director of the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association. He also created an innovative new method to store hay, which caught the eye of many other farmers. More than the farming itself he always had a great love for the farm. The Harrington farm was a sesquicentennial farm, which had many years of laborious love poured into the land. He lived somewhere on the property his whole life. Charlene & Hank built a new home across the field from the original house. In later years while remodeling the old family farm they used many cypress boards from an old barn that stood on the property. They created a new home with many old traditions and great heritage.
Hank collected antique tractors and never spoke those dreaded words: John Deere. He worked many long hours restoring and fixing his collection, which included many Red Power Tractors. Hank & Charlene traveled around the US to tractor shows. He engaged in conversation with anyone who would talk with him. He was a people person and anyone who loved tractors was a wonderful kind of person to Hank. He belonged to the Kalamazoo Valley Antique Engines Association and Red Power- an International Tractor Organization.
As much love and passion as he had for his farm and tractors, it never compared to the care and compassion he gave to Charlene and their three children. He was always willing to do what he could for the kids especially when it was to cut their hair (as long as it was a buzz cut). Charlene and Hank spent many wonderful years together traveling and creating their own adventures. Each fall the couple traveled to a different location in the US. Shortly after Hank’s retirements their children sent them on a trip to Hawaii.
His family enjoyed his love for debating politics and unselfish contributions that he made to friends and family. His family includes his loving wife of 52 years Charlene Harrington of Plainwell; children: Tim & Nancy Harrington of Valparaiso, IN; Bill & Jade Harrington of Plainwell, and Sue & Marvin Brenner of Plainwell; a sister Carol Noble of Oklahoma and brother Dan Harrington of Plainwell; grandchildren: Katie, Abe, Jeremiah, Ben, Anna, Beth, Paul, & Josie; and a great-granddaughter Kendall Haley Harrington.
Hank died on his farm July 17, 2003. He was preceded in death by his sister Ann Thurston. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, July 20 from 1-3 & 5-7 PM at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, where the Celebration of Life service will be held Monday at 2 pm. To read Hank’s life story, share a memory with his family, or make a memorial contribution to the Tiller’s International or charity of choice, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Plainwell Location
120 South Woodhams Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5881
Hank began a job at Consumer’s Power Company in 1949, as a lineman. In 1951 he joined the United States Air Force, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. Serving during the Korean War, Hank was originally stationed in Michigan before he was transferred to Europe. In Europe, he was stationed at several NATO posts across the continent.
In high school, Hank began to date a young lady named Charlene Buxton. A farm boy at heart, he even picked her up on one of their first dates on a tractor. It was a combination of the nice looking young man on the tractor and the gentle and kind way he treated her that won over Charlene. They were married on December 9, 1951. The young couple was able to live together while he was stationed in the US. However when he took his transfer the couple spent many months apart. During this time their first son was born. One of the best days of Hank’s life was his return from Europe, to be with his eight month old son and his new bride. They connected again as if no time had passed. The family moved together to California where Hank finished his tour of duty at George Air Force Base.
After his discharge from the service the couple returned to Plainwell, where Hank resumed his job as a lineman with Consumer’s Power. He made many good friends while working on the line. Hank retired in 1985, which allowed him more time for his true passion farming and tractors.
Hank spent many hours working the hay fields and caring for his beef cattle. He was a Director of the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association. He also created an innovative new method to store hay, which caught the eye of many other farmers. More than the farming itself he always had a great love for the farm. The Harrington farm was a sesquicentennial farm, which had many years of laborious love poured into the land. He lived somewhere on the property his whole life. Charlene & Hank built a new home across the field from the original house. In later years while remodeling the old family farm they used many cypress boards from an old barn that stood on the property. They created a new home with many old traditions and great heritage.
Hank collected antique tractors and never spoke those dreaded words: John Deere. He worked many long hours restoring and fixing his collection, which included many Red Power Tractors. Hank & Charlene traveled around the US to tractor shows. He engaged in conversation with anyone who would talk with him. He was a people person and anyone who loved tractors was a wonderful kind of person to Hank. He belonged to the Kalamazoo Valley Antique Engines Association and Red Power- an International Tractor Organization.
As much love and passion as he had for his farm and tractors, it never compared to the care and compassion he gave to Charlene and their three children. He was always willing to do what he could for the kids especially when it was to cut their hair (as long as it was a buzz cut). Charlene and Hank spent many wonderful years together traveling and creating their own adventures. Each fall the couple traveled to a different location in the US. Shortly after Hank’s retirements their children sent them on a trip to Hawaii.
His family enjoyed his love for debating politics and unselfish contributions that he made to friends and family. His family includes his loving wife of 52 years Charlene Harrington of Plainwell; children: Tim & Nancy Harrington of Valparaiso, IN; Bill & Jade Harrington of Plainwell, and Sue & Marvin Brenner of Plainwell; a sister Carol Noble of Oklahoma and brother Dan Harrington of Plainwell; grandchildren: Katie, Abe, Jeremiah, Ben, Anna, Beth, Paul, & Josie; and a great-granddaughter Kendall Haley Harrington.
Hank died on his farm July 17, 2003. He was preceded in death by his sister Ann Thurston. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, July 20 from 1-3 & 5-7 PM at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, where the Celebration of Life service will be held Monday at 2 pm. To read Hank’s life story, share a memory with his family, or make a memorial contribution to the Tiller’s International or charity of choice, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.
Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren
Plainwell Location
120 South Woodhams Street
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5881
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