Harold L. “Hezz” Harrington

Harold L. “Hezz” Harrington

Wichita, Kan.

Harold L. "Hezz" Harrington died on October 21st, 2022 at the age of 71.

He was born in 1950, when his family was living in Central Iowa. They moved to Eastern Iowa in the early 1950s, arriving in Cedar Rapids in 1957. Hezz attended schools on the NE side of town, graduating from Kennedy Sr. High in 1969. From 1967-1969, he performed as a founding member and drummer for the first show choir west of the Mississippi, "Happiness, Inc."

After high school, Hezz attended N.E. Missouri State University, receiving both his BSE and MA

degrees (1974, 1975). He worked as a social worker, educator, and mental health therapist in Iowa and Minnesota throughout his career.

His first marriage, in 1974, produced two daughters, Jenn (Troy) Penke and Kate Harrington.

Through Jenn he has two grandchildren, Mitchell and Kendra. His second marriage was to Vickie in 2003 in Cedar Rapids, where they dated and lived together for 21 years. This past summer they relocated to Wichita, Kan., to be closer to her family. Through her he has three stepsons, Jeremiah, Henry and Nathan Tafolla of Wichita, Kan. Through them he has seven grandchildren, Mike, Jessica, Jacob, Jonas, Selah, Olivia and Isaac.

Hezz was stricken with Lyme disease in 1986, but went undiagnosed for over two years. Even after treatment, the physical conditions triggered by the infection left him increasingly debilitated and in constant pain. This impacted every waking moment of his life. Any movement was excrutiating. Peace came only in sleep. In spite of that, those close to him had the opportunity to gain from his wide and varied interests and experiences, as well as a "slightly-off-kilter" sense of

humor. Additionally, Hezz strongly believed in the Mark Twain adage, "Always do right...it will gratify some and astonish the rest!"

Preceding him in death were his parents and brother, father and mother-in-law, and close friends Ray Ferris, Norm and Lorna Hanson, Vern Feuerhelm, and Nick Longworth.

Hezz would like to thank his family, friends, and physicians for their support and care.

Per Hezz's wishes, no services will be held.

Memorials may be made to the family.

As Hezz often said, "Life is too important to be taken too seriously."

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Harrington family.