Obituaries

Patrick R. Harding Jr.

Photo of Patrick R. Harding Jr.
Patrick R. Harding Jr. of Little Rock died Monday, June 11, 2018. Pat was born December 12, 1942 in Little Rock, the eldest son of Lynn and Patrick Harding, who pre-deceased him. He attended Little Rock parochial schools and graduated from Catholic High School in 1960. He attended Christian Brothers College in Memphis, St. John's Seminary in Little Rock, and was a graduate of Little Rock University (now UALR). He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and played on LRU's first varsity tennis team. He also pursued graduate studies at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Graduate School of Social Work. Pat was a licensed social worker in the State of Arkansas who dedicated his entire adult life to working with youth in various capacities. He began by serving as executive director of the Governor's Youth Council for three years during the Rockefeller Administration. He was employed by Arkansas Mental Health Services for 15 years in both treatment and prevention of mental illness and drug abuse among adolescents. He had a particular empathy and concern for juveniles who were victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse and those who were considered serious and violent offenders. He was employed as a counselor at the Alexander Juvenile Correctional Facility for nineteen years until his retirement in 2006. Pat was most comfortable and at his best when counseling young offenders in the maximum security unit at Alexander. Pat was a member of the Cathedral of St. Andrew. His leisure interests included biking, occasional golf, working out, and playing the piano. Survivors include one brother, Murray Harding of Little Rock as well as several nieces and nephews. A private family service will be held at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Published June 14, 2018

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