Ransom, Harley C.

Harley C. Ransom, 98, of The Meth-Wick Community, Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2010. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, with the Rev. Thomas "Ted" E.S. Miller presiding. Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel. A family burial service will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown, before the service.

Survivors include three sons, Thomas (Kirsten) of Chandler, Ariz., Richard (Janet) of Cedar Rapids and John (Kathleen) of Omaha, Neb.; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a very special sister-in-law, Barbara J. Hughes of Cedar Rapids; and nieces and nephews.

Harley was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and five sisters.

Harley was born Oct. 21, 1912, in Blairstown, Iowa, to Nathan C. and Amelia Ransom. He graduated from Coe College in 1938. While attending Coe he met his future wife, Laura Belle Platt. They were married at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids on Dec. 25, 1941, while Harley was on military leave. Harley proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. He continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as a major.

During college, Harley worked for Mr. and Mrs. Harrison E. Spangler in various capacities. He had the honor of serving President and Mrs. Herbert Hoover during a dinner at the Spangler residence.

Following his active service in the Army, Harley worked for Johnson Gas Appliance Co. and then he was a Deputy Assessor for the Linn County Assessor's Office. He concluded his career by managing Me Too Food Stores in Cedar Rapids and Belle Plaine, retiring in 1976.

Harley loved to travel. Through Tom's overseas assignments and Kirsten's expertise, Harley and Laura had the opportunity to visit Denmark, Italy, Egypt and Greece. He was an avid golfer, playing his last round with his sons in celebration of his 98th birthday in October 2010. He enjoyed fishing, making his first fly-in fishing trip to an isolated cabin on a remote lake in southern Ontario, Canada at age 91. Harley enjoyed gardening and was proud of his bountiful vegetable and flower gardens. He also cherished time spent with his family.

Harley was an ordained elder at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, a member of the Retired Officers Association, American Legion, Cedar Rapids Noon Lions Club and was named Lion of the Year in 2008. Harley served as a volunteer for the Hawkeye Area Council of Boy Scouts of America for 30 years. For 21 years, Harley was a spotter for high school and Coe College football games at Kingston Stadium, assisting his longtime friend, Irv Nelson.

While Harley and Laura lived in Belle Plaine, he was an active volunteer in the community serving on the Library Trustees Board during the building of the new town library. He also chaired the committee to build the Belle Plaine Community Center. Harley was named Volunteer of the Year for Benton County in 1986 as well as Outstanding Elder Citizen from Benton County in 1986. He served on The Heritage Agency on Aging and he was elected to the Older Iowa Legislature from Benton County. In 1992, he was inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame.

After moving back to Cedar Rapids in 1996, Harley was a regular volunteer for many activities on the Meth-Wick campus, including leading exercise classes as needed. Harley was a true inspiration and greatly influenced the lives of his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.

Memorial contributions may be made in Harley's honor to First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids, The Cedar Rapids Noon Lions Club, Boy Scouts of America, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Iowa Chapter), 8033 University Blvd., Suite A, Des Moines, IA 50325 or an organization of the donor's choice.