John "Spike" Harshbarger

John Day “Spike” Harshbarger, age 76, died July 23, 2011 at his home in Wamego, Kansas, after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma. He was born March 31, 1935 at his grandparent’s home three miles north of Amorita, Oklahoma near the Kansas/Oklahoma border. His parents were Alfred F. Harshbarger and Helen (Marsh) Harshbarger. Spike attended many schools as a child as his father was in the oil field industry. He graduated from Kiowa, KS High School in 1953 and attended Wichita State University on a football scholarship. After lettering his freshman year, he transferred to Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK. While at Northwestern, he was a multi-sport standout, earning nine varsity letters in football, basketball, gymnastics, and track. He was the individual high scorer for the track team all four years, and was the conference pole vault champion four years. His senior season he took third at the NAIA National Meet in San Diego with a vault of 13’1”. This vault was made using a steel pole and landing in a sand pit. Many times Spike would compete in as many as eight events in a track meet. Also while at Northwestern, he met the love of his life, Gwen B. Ashcraft, of Englewood, KS. They were married in Englewood on July 15th, 1956. Spike graduated from Northwestern in 1957 with a degree in Physical Education and Social Sciences. Following college, he joined the Army where he continued his athletic accomplishments. In the Second Army Championships at Fort Lee, VA, he won the pole vault and discus, and placed 2nd in the javelin. He was selected among 320 athletes as “outstanding Army Athlete.” Spike then became a teacher and coach at Hardesty, OK for two years, Fowler, KS for two years, and Argonia, KS for five years before moving the family to Wamego, KS in 1968. While at Wamego, he taught American History, driver education, psychology, career education, and first aid and safety. He was the cross country and track coach for 13 years. After completing his masters of educational administration at Kansas State University, he became the Wamego Middle School principal for 12 years until his retirement. In the summertime he worked for Kansas Farm Bureau as a crop hail adjuster for 19 years. There are not many wheat fields in the state that Spike has not set foot upon. He also enjoyed officiating football and basketball. In his later years Spike continued to compete in track and field at the Masters and Senior levels. At age 66 he obtained All-American honors in the discus. He was inducted into the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Hall of Fame in February 2002 and into the Wamego Sports Hall of Fame in January, 2008. Spike devoted his life to his wife and family, his Savior Jesus Christ, and to all of his students and athletes. He loved to reminisce about the classroom and the athletic field. His cross country and track athletes held a special place in his heart. He was a teacher in the truest sense of the word. Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years Gwen, his children Alan and wife Janell of Topeka, KS, Scott of Westmoreland, KS, and Lynda and husband Dave Shepherd of Overland Park, KS. Also surviving are six wonderful grandchildren: Bret, Maci, Ryan, Jory, Layne, and Landon. He is also survived by two sisters, Alfreda and husband John White of Alva, OK, Wilma Moore of Anthony, KS, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Spike was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Helen, and his mother-in-law Chloe Hitz. Funeral services for Spike will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at 10:30a.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, Wamego. Burial will follow at Wamego City Cemetery. He will lie in-state beginning at 1:00p.m. Wednesday, at Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, where family will greet friends during a visitation from 6:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to PRN Home Health and Hospice in Wamego, Kansas and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, PO Box 48, 66547. On-line condolences may be left at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com.