Feb. 19, 1931 – Jan. 8, 2007
Harold Hairston Attyberry Sr. was born in St. Louis on February 19, 1931 and departed this life on January 8, 2007 at Saint Luke’s Hospital after heart surgery and other complications. He was cremated at the St. Louis Cremation Center.
Harold was the fifth child born of the union of Robert Fernandez and Leola Wicks Attyberry, both educators. Of the six siblings born from the union of his deceased parents, two brothers, Wicks and Vincent, preceded him in death.
Harold is a product of St. Louis Public Schools having graduated from Sumner High School. He matriculated at the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he met and married the former Garvenia Butler, who preceded him in death. From this wonderful union of 54 years was born one son, Harold Hairston (Pudgy) Attyberry Jr., a talented musician who has played with Little Milton, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Oliver Sain.
Harold Sr. was employed by McDonnell Douglas Aircraft as an aeronautical engineer for some 40 years before his retirement in 2002, when he was honored for his outstanding service to the company.
While at SIU, Harold was instrumental in establishing Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Harold also was a member of the El Costa Ricos Club and the Promethians Social Club and community spokesman for the Richmond Heights Minority Community.
Harold was a member of Central Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Reverend T. E. Huntley and later affiliated with the Pilgrim Congregational Church, where the Rev. Cynthia S. Bumb is pastor.
Harold is survived by his son Harold, Jr., grandson Shawn Belter, sisters Mary Attyberry Polk, Barbara Attyberry Chandler, Linnie Attyberry Sims of Chicago, brother-in-law Robert Hudson, sister-in-laws Myrna Hudson, Arletta Williams, Thelma Attyberry, Flint, MI; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 17 at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim Congregational, 826 Union Blvd.