Harold Clinton Hulme's Obituary
Harold Clinton Hulme, 90, was born on December 1, 1929 to Homer C. and Oddie Lou Fletcher Hulme. He was welcomed into the family by big sister Mildred “Joyce” Hulme Watson. Harold lived in Dallas, Plano, and Allen for all of his life.
He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, where he was a proud member of the Army ROTC rifle corps.
Harold’s lifelong career began at the age of 18 with SW Bell Telephone Company. He worked as a switchman and a PBX repairman until his retirement. After retirement he worked as an independent installer. He loved telephones!
Harold loved to fish with his father-in-law and friends. He enjoyed camping. As a boy he loved to play baseball, and his love of baseball continued to his death. He was an avid Texas Rangers fan. Harold also loved to play dominoes…especially 42! He was always looking for a game. He played passionately and frequently came out as a winner.
Harold met the love of his life, Wanita Faye Graves, at a Sunday school Valentine’s Day party in 1949. It took him a while to work up the courage to ask her out, but she accepted…and the rest is history! Harold and Wanita were married in Dallas on August 12, 1950. He was welcomed into Wanita’s family, and he loved her parents, Raymond and Hattie Strickland Graves, like his own. Her siblings became like brothers and sisters for Harold. He also loved his sister’s husband, Fred Watson and nephew Keith (Debbie); they lived as neighbors for all of their adult lives in Dallas. Harold and Wanita lived and loved for 47 years, until the Lord called Wanita home. In her last years of life, Harold was her devoted and loving care-giver, visiting her every day at the nursing home where she resided.
Harold was a faithful member of Peak and Eastside Church of Christ, Skillman Church of Christ, and Waterview Church of Christ. He served as a deacon, sang on the church’s radio broadcast, visited the sick and shut-ins, and operated the sound system for many years.
In spite of his modest income, Harold donated faithfully to several favorite charities, including World Vision, Arms of Hope, Mercy Ships, Operation Smile, St. Jude Childrens Hospital, and others.
Harold and Wanita were blessed with three beautiful daughters, Sharon Elaine Hulme Stephens, Debra Gail Hulme Rush, and Kimberly Kay Hulme Seale. He was the “breadwinner” so that Wanita could stay home with their girls. Their income was modest, but there was an abundance of love in the Hulme household! Harold worked hard to see that each of his daughters got a Christian university education. He often told anyone who would listen that he had the best three daughters any man could have. Harold treasured each of his sons-in-law – Mike Stephens, Gary Rush, and Gregory Seale. He commented many times that he was proud of the Christian marriage partners his girls selected.
Blessings continued to be added to Harold’s life as grandchildren were born. Brooke Alyson (Kyle) Morrow , Matthew Ryan (Salome) Stephens, Gentry Michelle (Joe) Emerson, Garrett Stone (Kristine) Seale, Jacob Andrew (Becki) Rush, and Abbey Elizabeth Seale, were dearly loved!
…And then came the great-grandchildren!! He was so proud of Makenna Claire, Kelsey Paige, Elene Charys , Andrew James, and Noah Jacob! He carried photos in
his wallet and posted them on the walls. He loved to talk about them, as well as his daughters and grandchildren, to all who would listen.
Harold remarried a family friend, Mildred “Millie” Derr in 2000. The marriage ended in 2004.
Friends will remember Harold’s and Wanita’s annual Christmas parties. She loved to cook, bake, and entertain, and was a wonderful hostess. Harold was in his element as he provided card tables and dominoes for his beloved 42 games! Their house was full of love and laughter each year at Christmas party time!
Harold took a “shop” class in junior high school that set him on a course of woodworking. He loved tools, and had quite a collection. He never threw a tool (or anything else!) away. Harold worked for 30+ years building wooden toys for underprivileged children. His specialty was wooden jeeps. He was a perfectionist, and his toys were of the highest quality. Some of his buddies were his fellow volunteers at HOBBY CRAFTERS FOUNDATION, a charity organized solely to provide toys for less fortunate children.
The last two years of Harold’s life were spent as a resident at Belmont at Twin Creeks skilled nursing facility. His health had declined and he needed (but adamantly resisted!) skilled nursing care. He had a hard time adjusting to this huge change in his life, but the care he received was wonderful. Everyone from the executive director to the maintenance man to each nurse and aide knew “Mr. Harold” and provided for his needs as best they could. The activities director Larry was a special favorite of Harold’s, as was his “favorite” aide Hannah. His daughters selected the Belmont for him and never regretted this decision.
Harold’s loss of independence was a blow. He really missed driving his van all over town (at 40 MPH), buying EVERYTHING he needed at Dollar Tree, eating breakfast at Denny’s, and browsing the aisles of Harbor Freight. He loved his stuff – especially everything paper – he was something of a hoarder, truth be told! He was sure his world had come to an end when we had to clear out his duplex and sell his van. It took him a LONG time to get over that. He also really missed his Tuesday and Friday 42 games at the Plano Senior Center and not being able to work on his wooden toys any longer.
Harold didn’t embrace change gracefully, but one change we can be sure pleased him eternally…his frail earthly body is no longer his domain. He now rests in the care of his Savior with his “sweet angel” Wanita and will suffer no more.
A small, private family graveside service will be held on December 7, 2020 at Restland Cemetery.
A public memorial service for friends and family will be conducted at a later date.
Memorials may be made to HOBBY CRAFTERS FOUNDATION, 1910 Platinum St., Garland, Tx 75042; World Vision; Arms of Hope, or Harding University “Jake Rush Scholarship Fund”.
We love you, Dad! Keep the light on for us! We’ll see you later.
What’s your fondest memory of Harold?
What’s a lesson you learned from Harold?
Share a story where Harold's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Harold you’ll never forget.
How did Harold make you smile?