Harold Tetrick

Harold Lewis Tetrick, Master Gunnery Sergeant US Marine Corp (ret) was born on February 4, 1928 to Lester and Mayme (Green) Tetrick in Independence, Kansas, and died in LaPorte, Texas on May 19, 2021. His school years were spent in Independence, Kansas with this bother Glenn Tetrick, and sisters Rosalee (Tetrick) McConnell and Marge (Tetrick) Rodrick. Following graduation from Independence HS, he joined the USMC, beginning a thirty-three-year service to his country, retiring at the highest ranking possible for an enlisted Marine. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and subsequently the Pentagon, in support of the USMC’s legal services operations. Early in his career, he met his first wife Joan Gobel, a rare woman Marine, who left the Corp at the birth of their daughter, Terry (Tetrick) Nelson. Harold was a strong supporter of women’s issues in the USMC, promoting the role of women in the ranks and pushing reform to avoid separation of spouses jointly serving their country.

Following retirement from the USMC, he moved with his wife to Margate, Florida to help reorganize and manage a school for court reporters.  He was quickly recognized for “turning things around,” and was hired by Broward County, Florida to help with a variety of legal service issues. As a bailiff in County Court, he often pronounced the jury’s declaration of guilt or innocence to the Court.

After the death of his first wife, Harold become reacquainted with a widowed Independence HS classmate at their 50th reunion. He and Ellie Lewis were married in 2000 and the couple relocated to her home in Texas. Harold spent the next years of his life once again in service to others. He had many volunteer positions at Main South Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas, including driving the church bus that picked up seniors for Sunday services, Bible Study, and the Joy Club. He was also active in the Alzheimer’s organization and other civic activities. Ellie died in 2014, and as the family would say, “Harold had two great wives, and Terry had two great mothers and friends.”

In addition to Joan and Ellie, Harold was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters. He is survived by his daughter, Terry Nelson and his granddaughter, Lauren Nelson, both of Illinois, and his younger brother Glenn of Louisiana, as well as many nephews, nieces and their extended families.  Terry lost her father and best friend. The extended family lost a beloved uncle who ironed his jeans, and loved his family, friends and country with the same motto:  always faithful-Semper Fi!

Services will be 11:00 a.m., graveside at Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas on Thursday, May 27, 2021 under the direction of Webb & Rodrick Chapel. No visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the charity of your choice. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com.