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Harry R. Mead Orlando, FL QCWA # 7272 |
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Harry Ralph Mead, 95 of Orlando, Florida passed away on April 11, 2016. He was born in Bucyrus, Ohio on March 29,1921 to the late Ralph L. and Olive M. Mead. Harry loved drawing, painting, and was a ham radio operator, W4MRY. Harry joined the US Navy at 17 and found himself stationed at Pearl Harbor, HI on December 7, 1941. As the base was under surprise attack by the Japanese, he was the only radioman who stayed at his post and continued to send out messages. Later that day he volunteered to go on a search mission for the Japanese fleet. For his acts of bravery and disregard for his own safety, Harry was awarded the Navy Cross by President Roosevelt and Secretary of the Navy. Harry wrote a book about his 20 years in the Navy called "20 Was Easy", then worked at Lockheed Martin as a technical writer and wrote a manual for the Apache helicopter team and others for over 25 years. He is preceded in death by siblings Michael Mead, Shirley Mead Krauther, his first wife, Hilfred Charlotte Vietry Mead (Effie), daughter Victoria Mead Geesey, son Charles Mead, and second wife Mavis Hickey Mead. He is survived by his sister Vera Mead Olmstead, children Mike Mead, Becky Mead Rawson, stepchildren Janice Hickey Fiore, Jay Hickey, Kenny Hickey, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Arrangements by Baldwin Brother Cremations/Orange County. Veteran's graveside service will be held on Monday, May 9, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 US Highway 1 North, Mims, Florida 32754. In lieu of flowers, please take a vet to lunch.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel on May 3, 2016