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| In Memoriam |
Jack Richard (Rick) Harding Jr. Jack Richard Harding, Jr., known to his family as Rick or Ricky, beloved father, son, brother and friend, left us to join Lord's heavenly choir on January 25, 2011 at the age of 58. Rick was born on March 31, 1952 in Stephenville, Texas. After receiving his higher education at Tarleton State University, with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Music Education, he left Stephenville to share his talent and love for music as a Junior High Choir Teacher in south Texas. Shortly after marrying his second wife and having a precious daughter, he left teaching and began a second career as a Pharmaceutical Sale Rep and remained in that career for 25 years.Rick always remained in the arts and performed in plays, was a member of several Chorales, loved blowing his trumpet, and would be ready to perform any time or any where there were music and a spotlight. If you didn't have the music for him, he just happened to always carry his infamous "pitch pipe" in his pocket for on the spot performances! He had a true passion for music and an incredible God-given talent for singing. What an amazing First Tenor voice! Everyone LOVED to watch Rick perform and hear him sing. He had such a tremendous love for life, music, challenging conversations, quips and most of all ... his family and friends. We could always count on him to make our day brighter with a corny joke, silly pun, or his quirky smile. Rick was truly a blessing to this world and to all who knew him. We love you and will miss you more than words can express. Although we have lost a great man, Heaven has gained a singing Saint! |
Betty Beaty Betty was a charter member of the Chorale and held the office of Librarian all but two years of her membership. She was a Board member for much of her time with the Chorale and served passionately to impart the Chorale to Irving and abroad. Betty never went halfway into anything and felt a personal commitment to the Chorale to account for every piece of music it owned, earning herself the esteemed title of “The Sheriff.” Though she was well educated and highly recognized as an educator in both public schools and in the service of H & R Block as a Tax Professional and Trainer, she felt her greatest accomplishment was establishing a Chorale fund to be used to finance and maintain the music library. In her honor, the Chorale named the fund The Betty Beaty Music Library Fund.To members of the Chorale who knew Betty, a standout memory of her was on the Chorale’s tour to England in 1999 where she decided to “roast” the conductor at the farewell dinner. She rewrote one of the songs sung on tour to “fit” the situation and conducted the choir in the new arrangement to the hilarious delight of all. |
| Cecil Ethridge To everyone who knew and loved him, Cecil Ethridge was the epitome of Santa Claus—from the rosey cheeks to the beard to the belly that bounced like a bowl full of jelly. He always had that jolly twinkle in his eye and that spring in his step that endeared him to everyone he met. Cecil grew up in Oak Cliff, graduating from Sunset High School. He met the love of his life, Arta, while attending Lubbock Christian College. They had three children. He was active in his local church and in recent years led the church choir. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service to perfect his favorite hobby, golf. Cecil loved to sing. Those who roomed with him on trips quickly learned that he woke up singing and went to bed singing. He sang with many choruses in the metroplex, including The Irving Quartet, The Dallas Civic Chorus, and the Irving Chorale. Cecil's kind, gentle spirit will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. But we know there are many happy kids in heaven who are surely waiting in line to sit on his lap. |
| Norma Painter Norma and her husband, John, became members of the Chorale in the early 1990s. Norma had almost perfect attendance  at rehearsals, choir events, and concerts, even through John’s bout with cancer and with her own failing health before her recent death. Norma was a garment designer and an exceptionally skilled seamstress. She not only designed two of the standard costumes the ladies of the Chorale have worn, but she also personally sewed all of the dresses of the most recent design. Like the alto part she sang in Chorale, Norma contributed harmony to the lives of her family and friends.To members of the Chorale who knew Norma, a standout memory was of the tour to Toronto, Canada, where she placed a bet on a horse race for the very first time. She took suggestions and then decided to place a $2.00 bet to win, to place, and to show. Her horse came in first, and she won it all. Then she did a Norma thing—she quit while she was ahead. |