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OBITUARY

Harold James Humphries

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Harold James Humphries, 77, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on March 18, 2023 at his home unexpectedly.

He was born on January 15, 1946 to Rev. Harry R. Humphries and Alice Flora Traux Humphries at St. Bernadine's Hospital in San Bernadino, California.

Harold grew up in Long Beach, California, attending all Long Beach Unified Schools and graduating from R.A. Millikan High School in 1964. As a senior in high school, he attended Long Beach City College, graduating with an A.A. in Mechanical Drawing in June 1966.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in June 1966, becoming a crew chief Staff Sergeant, E5, and was honorably discharged in 1970. Harold was very proud of his service at Travis AFB, working on C-141 that transported dead and wounded boys from Vietnam back to Travis and on to burn centers. During the TET offensive of 1968, he was responsible for keeping his plane airworthy enough to handle the wounded being transported safely home. As he said, as he secured his plane the first time, "I grew up fast after seeing so many young boys, not knowing if they were black, brown, or white, covered with burns. The smell of burning flesh and the sounds of pain and suffering haunt me to this day."

After his discharge, Harold moved to Las Vegas to live with his twin brother, Harry. Within a week, Harold became employed by JCPenney, eventually becoming senior merchandise manager until 1991. Harold always maintained that he had two fathers; his dad and Mr. Bob O'Connell, who was the CEO of Penny's at the Meadowbrook Mall. Mr. O'Connell mentored and fathered Harold. Harold was eternally grateful.

Harold then became a very successful real estate agent in greater Las Vegas up to his death. He literally knew everyone, and everyone he knew loved him. He was an honest, knowledgeable person who conducted himself with integrity.

Harold suffered from kidney failure in 2005 and eventually received two kidney transplants in 2006 from Dr. Scott Slavis at Sunrise Hospital. Both surgeries were with a great deal of complications, complications that affected his life up to the end. Harold endured.

He is survived by his daughter, Tiffany Ann Sluder (Mike) of Lincoln, Oregon; and son, Christopher Back (LondonCherie) of Roy, Utah; as well as several grandchildren, several cousins, and nephews.

Harold was loved by everyone. He is missed, especially by his loving twin brother, Harry, of Pittsburg, Kansas.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date. He will be buried with military honors in Henderson, Nevada.