Harold Eugene Early, 56, of Bates City, Missouri, passed away Oct. 28, at the Oak Grove Nursing facility after a long battle with cancer.

Visitation will be Saturday Nov. 4, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at New Life Fellowship, Holden, Missouri. Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 4, following visitation at New Life Fellowship 400 South Main Holden, under the direction of Ben Cast and Wood Funeral Home of Holden.

Harold was born August 2, 1961 in Warrensburg, Missouri to Duane and Martha (Shier) Early. Harold attended Holden High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1980. He was a farmer and avid outdoorsman all of his life. His love for animals led him to have some very unique pets throughout his life from coons, squirrels, deer, quail, turkey and even a skunk. This love did not keep him from also loving the hunt of these animals. When he wasn’t working on the farm, he could be found fishing, looking for mushrooms in the spring, tracking that big, illusive buck or calling in a gobbler. Harold loved his running dogs starting with coyote dogs that he would run every weekend with his friends to his coon dogs of present, Six Pack and Boxcar Willie.

He was a member of the Holden Coon Hunters Association winning many hunting titles and competitions. “Uncle Harold” was very special to his four nieces and he loved Christmas, fishing trips and sending time with them.

Harold is survived by his parents, Duane and Martha; one brother Howard (Cheryl); four nieces; Brittany Kelsey (Cohen) and son Stockton of Kirksville, Missouri; Mallory Early, fiancé Layne Robinson, of Leon, Iowa; and Kennedy and Chezney Early of Leeton, Missouri. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins and many fishing and hunting buddies. He was preceded in death by one uncle, Dennis Early; and one cousin, Andy Early.

Special thanks to Hospice and Healthcare, staff of Oak Grove Nursing facility and to all of his hunting and fishing buddies who loved to enjoy the outdoors as much as Harold.

Memorial contributions to the Shriners of Kansas City, Missouri.