Harold Glenn Degginger was born December 23, 1929, in Joplin, Missouri, to George F. Degginger and
Ethyl J. Newby Degginger. At age three, Harold moved to a farm on the outskirts of Joplin. He attended
Diamond Schools, where he met several lifelong friends and his future wife, Georgia Lou Smith. Harold
graduated from Diamond High School in 1947 and wanted a break from farm life and school, so Harold
began playing on the Donkey Basketball Circuit. In 1948, he married Georgia and went to work for
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. The first of four children was born in 1949, named Daniel Lee.
In 1950, Harold joined the Air Force. Harold, Georgia, and Daniel moved to Travis A.F.B. in California,
where he enjoyed working on aircraft. 1951, a second son named Jackie Ray was born. The four had
many adventures in the mountains around Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and the beaches near San Francisco, CA.
Harold received a transfer to Greenland at the start of the Korean War, where he remained until the end
of the conflict.
After returning from Greenland, Harold and his family returned to Joplin and his work at Southwestern
Bell. Many jobs were available through the Bell System, and Harold attended several schools over the
years, becoming certified in many telephone company positions. His favorite job was as a lineman,
where he occasionally worked with his brother Bill. Another job he enjoyed was a PBX equipment
installer, installing complex communication systems for businesses such as St. Johns Hospital, Missouri
Steel, Tamko, and many more. Two more children were born during the early years- David Michael
(Mike) in 1955 and Vanesa Marie Owens Degginger in 1956. Additionally, Harold owned a TV and radio
repair shop out of his home and helped his wife Georgia with her Beauty Salons. The family moved to
Webb City, Missouri, in 1962, where all four children graduated high school.
Harold loved spending time with his family; each year, they would take a family vacation. Traveling all
through the south, the family of six enjoyed camping, amusement parks, museums, caves, and much
more. He became a Boy Scout Master to be closer to his children and teach them good character traits.
He attended every Little League, Babe Ruth, and ASA softball game his children played. After his father
died, Harold and Georgia moved back to the family farm in 1987. At that time, Harold retired from the
phone company after 37 years of service. Harold enjoyed spending time with Georgia and working the
land. In 2000, Harold and Georgia wanted to diversify their portfolio, so they started a mobile home
park and rented several homes. Harold enjoyed building new projects and fixing old machinery. He had a
great work ethic that followed him throughout life. He was a Mason, Elks Club member, member of
Webb City Chamber of Commerce, athletic booster for Diamond High School, entrepreneur, and
benefactor for causes such as Souls Harbor, Salvation Army, and Native American tribes. Harold was a
gentle, loving, and caring soul who wanted the best for his family. He said many times how much he
loved his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren and how proud he
was of them.
Harold thought of his daughters-in-law and son-in-law as his own children. Deborah Myers Degginger
and Jeffery T Owens have been a part of his family for over 47 years, and Judith Degginger for 35 years.
Harold's grandchildren included: Jeffrey S. and Sue Degginger, Jennifer Degginger, Steven Degginger,
Summer Degginger, Nicole Degginger, Jessica Degginger, Andrew Degginger, Victoria Rigdon, and Sean
and Chanel Owens. Great Grandchildren included: Tori and Chyna Degginger; Abigail, Cheyanne, and
Cameron Degginger; Vanesa Romero, Shelby Rigdon, Christopher Rigdon, Kainen, and Scarlet Owens.
Great Great Grandchildren included: Sophia, Jeffery, and Joshua Rigdon. Proceeded in Death: wife
Georgia L Degginger, parents George F and Ethyl Degginger, brothers- Jack, William D. (Bill) and Neil W.
Degginger, sister Beverly Degginger, and grandson, Patrick Joseph Degginger.