Obituaries

Harry Vandergriff

Photo of Harry Vandergriff
Harry Vandergriff was born on Oct. 11, 1919, and passed away on Aug. 29, 2012. Harry was a resident of Fayetteville, Ark., at the time of his passing. Upon graduation from Van Buren High School, Harry enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His service included the first daylight heavy bomber missions flown out of England, 50 total combat missions, and awards of the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross, these latter for wounds received, heroism, and resolute courage under fire in an aerial dogfight that resulted in his bomber crash landing. He was discharged in 1945 and enrolled in college at the University of Arkansas. Upon graduation, he began work for the Fayetteville Public Schools as a teacher at Jefferson Elementary School. He later became head football coach at Fayetteville High and Superintendent of Fayetteville Schools. Harry's tenure as superintendent was marked by the goal that students deserved the best the community could give, and teachers must be encouraged and supported in reaching this goal. Advancing this goal, Harry worked with the state legislature lobbying for all students in the education system. He served on the boards of various community and state organizations to serve the city of Fayetteville. He was an elder in the First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Anne Vandergriff; his daughter, Marcia Morris (Michael) of Corpus Christi, Texas; his brother, Bobby Vandergriff (Betty) of Van Buren, Ark.; his four grandchildren, Van Hall (Jay) of Texarkana, Texas, Whitney Myers (Zachery) of Bastrop, Texas, Meredith Shaddox (Jonathan) of Fayetteville, Ark., and Kate Cox (Larry) of Corpus Christi, Texas; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and four siblings. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Moore's Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, at First United Presbyterian Church, 695 Calvin St in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First United Presbyterian Church, 695 Calvin St., Fayetteville, AR 72703, the Fayetteville Education Foundation, 877 Clinton Drive, Fayetteville, AR or Cooperative Emergency Outreach, P.O. Box 3631, Fayetteville, AR 72701. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

Published September 2, 2012

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