Gary Melvin “Coach” Harding

Gary Melvin “Coach” Harding, 82, of Salina, passed away Monday, July 1, 2024.

He was born on February 15, 1942, in Goodland, Kansas, to Virgil “Pete” and Josephine “Jo” (Jensen) Harding.

Gary graduated from Stockton High School. He wrestled for Fort Hays State for one year before enlisting in the Air Force. After five years in the Air Force, Gary and his family settled in Salina in 1967. Gary attended Salina Area VoTech in autobody and painting, then worked in the autobody field before returning as an instructor for over 30 years.

In 1972, Coach Harding founded the Salina Kids’ Wrestling Club and coached the team for the next 11 years. In 1983, he accepted the wrestling coaching position at Southeast of Saline High School, where he led the Trojans to back-to-back State Championships and was awarded Kansas 3-2-1A Coach of the Year three times. Coach Harding went on to coach at Salina Central in 1989, and for five years, he served as a coach for the Kansas Junior Nationals Freestyle and Greco Team. He was voted 5A Sportsmanship Coach of the Year by the Kansas Wrestling Officials Association in 1997 and was a 2006-2007 Inductee to the Kansas Wrestling (KWCA) Hall of Fame. He had a love for raising pigeons and doves and was proud to have been a past president of the American Dove Association.

Survivors include his wife, DeVona (Henry) Harding, of the home; sons, Rod Lynn Harding (Libby), Salina, Kansas and Weston Wayne Harding, of Salina, Okla.; grandkids Lauren Harding, Amanda Koerperich, Jordan Harding, Tyler Harding, Gary Wayne Harding, Jacob Harding, and Sophia Harding; six great-grandkids; and brother, Jerry Harding (Jane), Liberal.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and son, Dannie Dean Harding.

A visitation is planned for 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, with family present from 6-8, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., on Monday, July 8, at United Methodist Church of the Cross, Salina, with the graveside committal service on the following day, Tuesday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at the Stockton Cemetery, Stockton, Kansas.

Memorials may be made to United Methodist Church of the Cross or the Salina Animal Shelter, care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St, Salina 67401.