James Edward Harden was born on February 25, 1933 to John William Henry Harden & Hattie (Bell) Harden in Holdenville, Oklahoma in the Friendship Community. He attended school at Gerty. He joined the Navy in November of 1952 where he served honorably through the Korean War and was discharged in 1954. Edd then married his wife of 61 years, Doris June Parks, on February 26, 1955. They lived in California, Stuart, Non, Wewoka and eventually settled in the Holdenville area and raised their family, which includes 7 children, 28 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. Edd enjoyed pestering Doris, raisin' a ruckus and looking for trouble with his brothers, ramblin' around in the woods for hours on end, robbing bee trees, playing with the grandkids and great grandkids and baby skunks, collecting "collectibles" also known as "junk". Attending auctions to acquire more collectibles, going to singings, ice cream and Dr. Peppers and he loved listening to Henry play his guitar and sing.

Edd is survived by his wife, Doris Harden of the home, and his seven children, Diann Welch and the late Coy Welch of Holdenville, Allen "Bo" Harden and wife Betty of Blanket TX, Lori McCoy of Sapulpa, Cathy Brooks and husband Allan of Holdenville, Pamela Skipworth and husband Butch of Holdenville, John Harden and his wife Kam of Daisy OK, and Jerry Harden and Teresa of Calvin. Ed was also survived by his brother Joe Harden of Calvin and sister Evelyn Palin and husband Ray of Newcastle OK, two sisters-in-law, Laverne Harden of Holdenville and Norma Faye Harden of Calvin, along with numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. His mother, father, and ten brothers and sisters preceded him in death.

Services will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at the East Main Church of Christ. Interment will be immediately following service at the Pryor Cemetery in Stuart, Oklahoma.