Harold Lee Mudge

Harold Lee Mudge passed away on December 5, 2021 at the age of 85.

Harold was born in Emporia, Kansas on February 27, 1936 to Phillip H. and Alpha Elizabeth Werts Mudge.  The baby of the family came home to doting big sisters Phyllis and Carol.

Harold graduated from Gridley High School in the Spring of 1954 where he loved playing sports especially basketball and was a member of the Gridley High basketball team that went to state in 1952.  Lifetime friendships were formed with his Yellowjacket teammates; Sam Kraft, John Kraft, Dick Winzeler, Daryl Miller, Arnold Kraft, Bill Kneisley, Max Osborn, Vernon Birk, and Dick Swibold.

We know he has found a refreshed body, a ball, and some friends with which to play. We guarantee you he is telling all of them how Knock Out is not the game to play, HORSE is better.

Harold Lee and Hannah Jane Cox were married at the Madison United Methodist Church on June 2 ^nd , 1957.  Harold was a life time member of the Gridley United Methodist Church and he served in many roles over the years.  He and Jane led the adult Sunday school class and he was instrumental in inviting people to attend.   He was active in developing and serving on many of the Gridley and Coffey County outreach programs such as the Gridley Senior Citizen Housing and Meals on Wheels.  He served on Gridley City Council and was even Mayor at one point. He was always a strong supporter of Gridley school athletics and summer ball programs, many times being the one calling balls and strikes from behind the plate!

Harold grew up working in his father's grocery store in Gridley and fought the Gridley fire of 1956 from the rooftop of the grocery store…. a story his children just recently heard because he hadn't wanted to share the fact that he was returning to Gridley at 1:30 a.m. after seeing Jane in Madison!  After being robbed at gunpoint and thrown in the cooler in the 1970's, Harold never heard the bell on the front door of the store the same so he sold the store and switched to manufacturing countertops. His business venture with his two friends Willis Beyer and Ron Birk, continues to be a thriving business; his  daughters, Kara and Johannah, continue today as Countertop Trends.

Harold is preceded in death by his wife, Hannah Jane Cox Mudge; his parents, Phil and Alpha Mudge; two siblings, Phyllis Storrer and Carol Erickson, his lifelong friend and brother-in-law Edward "Breeze" Storrer and son-in-law, Gary Beyer.

Harold was cherished by his four children and their spouses; Garth and Berri Mudge, Amy and Andy Hoffmans, Kara Beyer, and Johannah and Robert Snovelle.  He provided them a wonderful childhood, supported them in all their adventures, and taught them all how to work hard. Harold was dependable and always supportive of his family, a true provider, for all those he loved.

As the family grew he welcomed every new family member with open arms. He especially loved his ten grandchildren; Maggie Johnson, Caylie Hoffmans, Taylor Cook, RJ Snovelle, Preston Beyer, Chelsea Braden, Tessa Toy, Carson Beyer, Reed Szambecki, and Ross Snovelle. He wanted to make sure the basketball court in the back was clear when company was coming. He was asked once if the goal was for sale and he said "never!" He kept a close eye on the KU games and pretty much any game that was on tv. He was excitable to say the least and there may have been a time or two that he may have been asked to leave a game after assisting the referees with a call.  As a grandfather he didn't yell when watching the grandkids play. However, he had suggestions for them on how to improve after the game. In recent years he was unable to attend games but getting score updates texted to him was important. Most recently, he loved watching the video clips of Ross playing basketball and volleyball. He would tell everyone about how she was doing. Monday night he had the most heavenly seat in the house at Melvern and saw a great game! The Lady Titans won 59-35 and Ross had a career high of 20 points!

The grandkids enjoyed road tripping with Grandpa and Grandma, basketball games in the backyard, holiday dinners, visits around the tv with the game on, and the to-do list he always had waiting for them when they came to visit.  Grandpa loved ice cream and pie. Ice cream was an essential item on every road trip and there was always a carton in the freezer for sundaes.

Harold was blessed with six great-grandchildren and he loved having their photo in view to look at everyday; Mason, Carter and Phoebe Braden, Owen and Grace Johnson and Leigh Cook.

Services are planned for Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Gridley United Methodist Church, 517 Atherly Street, Gridley, Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent in care of the Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS  66839 and designated for either Gifts for Gridley or Gridley Library.