Harold Richard Estep
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
He was born March 15, 1932, in Dry Branch, W.Va., to Gilbert and Edna Mae Combs Estep.
He enlisted in the Army July 19, 1949, at the age of 17, and went to basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., in the 13th Armored Infantry Battalion. He joined B Battery, 38th FA Bn., 2nd Inf. Div. in January 1950. He went to Korea in August 1950 and landed in Pusan Aug. 19, 1950, and went into combat Aug. 21, 1950. His unit was wiped out Nov. 30, 1950. He was captured Dec. 1, in or around Somindong, North Korea, at 1:30 p.m. and was held in some caves for about a week, then was moved to the Minig Camp about Dec. 19. He left the Minig Camp Dec. 28 and arrived in Camp 5 Jan. 26 and then was moved to Camp 3 in May 1951. He was released Sept. 2, 1953. He celebrated three birthdays in POW camps. He was discharged at Fort Mead, Md., in 1953. He re-enlisted Feb. 2, 1954, went back to Fort Knox, Ky., and then was sent to Ansbach, Germany, with the 750th FA Bn., and was discharged in January 1957. He retired from Laketon Refining, and moved to Roane County, W.Va., and faithfully attended several area churches.
Surviving are five daughters: Peggy Newcomer, Wabash; Susan (and spouse Ron) Bashore, Warsaw; Tracy Estep and TyAnn Estep, both of North Manchester; and Donna (and spouse Larry) Krider, South Whitley; a son, Roy (and spouse Marsha) Estep, Warsaw; three sisters: Dorothy (and spouse Herb) Willis, Ohio; Betty (and spouse Charlie) Tackett, North Carolina; and Kay (and spouse Jay) McCubbin, Virginia; 14 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, four sisters and a brother.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Taylor-Vandale Funeral Home, Spencer, W.Va., with the Rev. Danny Whited officiating. Burial will be in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, W.Va., with military graveside honors.
Calling is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.[[In-content Ad]]
He was born March 15, 1932, in Dry Branch, W.Va., to Gilbert and Edna Mae Combs Estep.
He enlisted in the Army July 19, 1949, at the age of 17, and went to basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., in the 13th Armored Infantry Battalion. He joined B Battery, 38th FA Bn., 2nd Inf. Div. in January 1950. He went to Korea in August 1950 and landed in Pusan Aug. 19, 1950, and went into combat Aug. 21, 1950. His unit was wiped out Nov. 30, 1950. He was captured Dec. 1, in or around Somindong, North Korea, at 1:30 p.m. and was held in some caves for about a week, then was moved to the Minig Camp about Dec. 19. He left the Minig Camp Dec. 28 and arrived in Camp 5 Jan. 26 and then was moved to Camp 3 in May 1951. He was released Sept. 2, 1953. He celebrated three birthdays in POW camps. He was discharged at Fort Mead, Md., in 1953. He re-enlisted Feb. 2, 1954, went back to Fort Knox, Ky., and then was sent to Ansbach, Germany, with the 750th FA Bn., and was discharged in January 1957. He retired from Laketon Refining, and moved to Roane County, W.Va., and faithfully attended several area churches.
Surviving are five daughters: Peggy Newcomer, Wabash; Susan (and spouse Ron) Bashore, Warsaw; Tracy Estep and TyAnn Estep, both of North Manchester; and Donna (and spouse Larry) Krider, South Whitley; a son, Roy (and spouse Marsha) Estep, Warsaw; three sisters: Dorothy (and spouse Herb) Willis, Ohio; Betty (and spouse Charlie) Tackett, North Carolina; and Kay (and spouse Jay) McCubbin, Virginia; 14 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, four sisters and a brother.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Taylor-Vandale Funeral Home, Spencer, W.Va., with the Rev. Danny Whited officiating. Burial will be in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, W.Va., with military graveside honors.
Calling is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.[[In-content Ad]]
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