Harold “Tank” Laraway – Aug. 15, 2021

Harold “Tank” Laraway, born July 1, 1928 passed away August 15, 2021. He was a lifelong resident of Jamestown ND. He was a man who did not really realize what he accomplished.

After graduating from Jamestown High School and Jamestown College (now University of Jamestown) where he was known for his baseball and football skills, his ND National Guard unit was called to active duty in the Korean War and sent to Camp (now Fort) Rucker, Alabama. His unit was so good rather than be sent to Korea they trained other gun (howitzers) units how to fire before they were sent to Korea.

Upon his return to Jamestown, he worked for his father at the Texaco bulk plant delivering gas, diesel, home heating fuel, oil and other petroleum products in and around Jamestown. He met his wife, Barbara Cumber as a kid when he and his dad delivered gas to her dad’s Texaco station in Pingree, ND. After returning from Alabama, while working for his dad at Texaco, he ran into Barbara at a dance in Eldridge and soon after they were married (on August 15, 1952) and had four sons, Kenneth, Richard, Gener and Thomas.

After his father passed away Harold took over the Texaco (Laraway Oil Company) business and ran it until Texaco pulled out of the middle part of the US. After that Harold sold the business and worked at several jobs in Jamestown. He ultimately spent over 25 years working at Highland Cemetery first as the Secretary/Treasurer and later as Secretary. He enjoyed being on the grounds committee. He hired college students and others for part time summer help. He was a long-time member of Toastmasters, the Lions and the American Legion. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church before spending 50 years at the First Congregational Church. One of his favorite past times was spending time at Spiritwood Lake at his cabin over the last 50 plus years.

As a father he participated in all his son’s events, coaching their little league base baseball teams and he played amateur ball into his 30’s and his oldest sons got to see him play. He was the Cub Scout master at Lincoln School and Boy Scout Leader at Atonement Lutheran Church when that troop was started. He loved to hunt and took all of his boys with him as soon as they were able to go.

He leaves behind as survivors his wife Barbara, sons Kenneth (Debra), Richard (Vicki), Gener (Vicki) and Thomas (Kim). Also, eight grandchildren, Kay, Diana, Danny, Mark, Staci, Andi, Keenan and Melia and one great grandson, Oliver. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Highland Cemetery Association or Ave Maria Village in his name.

Memorial Service: 10:00AM, Saturday, August 28, 2021 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Jamestown.

Graveside Service with Honors: Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown.

Arrangements are in the care of Williams Funeral Home.