Obituary of Harold Leroy Maynard

Harold passed peacefully at home in Columbia, South Carolina, with his daughter, Karen (Richard) Scott, at his side.

He was born to Homer and Ida Maynard in Wellsboro, PA. Harold was predeceased by his parents and 6 of his seven siblings: George, Anna, Priscilla, Betty, Norma, LaRue; one granddaughter, Carolyn Rae Cooper; and the love of his life and wife of 58 years, Wilma Cleveland Maynard. He is survived by one loving brother, Richard (Nancy) Maynard; and three daughters who love him dearly, Connie (James) Cooper, Karen (Richard) Scott, and Sharon (Bruce) Harrington. Harold leaves the legacy of nine grandchildren: Elaine, Samantha, James, Victoria, Sarah, Harold, Regan, Wade and Shannon, their spouses; and 22 great grandchildren.

Harold and Wilma purchased a family farm outside Campbell, NY in 1955, turning it from a dairy to a beef cattle farm, first with registered Herefords and subsequently Simmentals. He was active in the beef industry for 65 years, serving locally, state and National, to represent the beef industry. He was especially active on the NYS Beef Cattleman’s Association, as well as in the state and national Simmental Associations. Harold and Wilma raised their family fostering their love and appreciation for animals and the land and introducing their children to the 4-H life that has continued through generations with the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Harold’s dream and work ethic resulted in many wins (self, children and grandchildren) and recognitions over the years at the NYS Fair, to include Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor among many others. His daughter Sharon (Bruce), continues to run the family farm along with their children and grandchildren. His daughter Connie (Jim), operates a small family farm outside Joplin, Missouri. His first great grandchild Katie Macy, inherited Harold’s love and passion of farm life achieving the highest degree in FFA and now pursues an agricultural teaching degree.

Harold and Wilma worked hard and instilled the values of hard work, responsibility, dedication, respect, duty and love of family, friends and country. To support the farm, they also worked long hard hours off of the farm. Harold’s skills included carpentry, plumber, electrician, mason, machinery and leadership. He served as foreman and construction superintendent for many building projects over the years. Harold served as superintendent building the viaducts over the Niagara River for the Niagara Falls electric power plant in the 1950’s.

As a very young man, Harold served in the Navy onboard the USS Haven, a hospital ship, during World War II. He was on board the ship when “the second surrender of Japan” took place on that ship. It was the signing release of the prisoners of war from the Japanese Island of Kyushu. He was proud of his service and that of his older brother George, a pilot who was shot down over France, during the war.  A younger brother, Larue, served in the Navy on a submarine. Two daughters and a granddaughter also followed in his footsteps, serving in the military (Sharon Harrington, US Army, Karen Scott, US Army Nurse Corps, and Regan Fiske, US Air Force).

Harold will be remembered for his wise advice “if you are going to do something, do it right the first time.” He led by example, worked hard, stayed active and involved, smiled often and was a true American!

A Military Memorial Service will be held at the family farm in Campbell, New York, Memorial Day Weekend, May 25, 2024. Details will follow at a later date.