Harold Leroy St. Clair was born on Saturday, February 23, 1929, the oldest of John and Hulda (Keebaugh) St. Clair’s seven boys. He entered into God’s eternal embrace on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the age of 97. 

 

Harold came into this world in his grandfather William St. Clair’s log house on Sweetwater Road in Metal Township. He grew up on his family’s farm in Path Valley, learning young the value of hard work. When he was 15 years old, he left the farm in the care of his father and brothers and began working on the neighbors’ farm, beginning a long life of learning new skills and doing work that he loved. Whether he was learning the newest technology in radar school with the United States Navy (1948-1952, USS Stribling DD-867), inspecting wingtips on B-29s at Fairchild, or becoming a top salesman and manager selling insurance for Washington National (retired 1994), Harold found meaning and pride in his work, while never taking it too seriously. 

 

Outside his working life, he volunteered countless hours for organizations he believed in, including the George Washington Lodge and the Franklin County Shrine Club. He was a member at St. John’s United Church of Christ (Chambersburg) for over 60 years and, with members from the church, helped build one of the first Habitat for Humanity homes in Franklin County. He continued to serve others in his retirement, being recognized as a distinguished volunteer at the Chambersburg Hospital after 20 years of service (1995-2015).  

 

The brightest spot in Harold’s early career in the Navy was the time he hitchhiked home from his base back to Chambersburg, where he met up with one of his brothers hoping for a ride back to Path Valley. That one trip began a much longer journey because it led to him meeting the love of his life, Dolores Margaret (Johnston) St. Clair, whom he wed on January 25, 1953. 

 

The life they established together included the first home they constructed on Stumpy Lane in Fort Loudon, the birth of their two boys, Greg and Doug, and the brick rancher they built on Leidig Drive that they called home for 60 years. Countless memories were created there, from February birthday parties to Christmas Eves to sitting at the kitchen table and catching up after school and work were done for the day.     

 

Harold joins the great cloud of witnesses of those who have gone before him, including his son, Douglas; his grandson, Nicholas; and his brothers, Charles, Wayne, Sherman, James, and Robert. 

 

He leaves to our safekeeping his beloved wife, Dolores, and his brother, Owen, along with his son, Gregory (Cynthia) St. Clair and daughter-in-law, Lynn St. Clair; his four grandchildren, Melissa (Ben Hodgin) St. Clair, Ryan (Lauren) St. Clair, Julie Ann Harris, Jonathan (Gabrielle) St. Clair; and three great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Teagan, and Leo. He also is remembered and loved by his sisters- and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of Harold’s life will take place at St. John’s United Church of Christ (1811 LWE, Chambersburg) on Wednesday, May 27, with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Rev. Caroline Saxton will officiate. Gifts in honor and memory of Harold’s life may be given to St. John’s United Church of Christ (https://sjucc1811.org/) or the ALS Association (https://www.als.org/donate).