Harold D. Dufek, 86, died February 9, 2008, at his home in Hutchinson.

He was born November 15, 1921 in Noble County, Oklahoma, the son of Emil Dufek and Petra Elvrum Dufek. After living in Oklahoma and Texas, the family moved to Hutchinson in 1933. He attended high school and junior college at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico, receiving his associate's degree and certificate of eligibility as Second Lieutenant in the Army Cavalry in 1939. He continued his studies at the University of Kansas, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting in 1947, following his service in World War II.

On January 31, 1942, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Cavalry and reported to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he attended gunnery school and became an instructor of tank gunnery. Promoted to First Lieutenant in December 1942, he transferred to I Company, 20th Armament Division at Ft. Campbell in 1943, and was assigned as company commander. He served in the Pacific Theatre from October 1943 through December 26, 1945. Headquartered in Kuewang, China, he led a Chinese tank transportation battalion that moved 500 trucks, tanks and supplies over the Ledo-Burma Road. During his service in the Far East, he became fluent in the Chinese Language. Following his discharge from the Army in 1945, he served in the Army Reserves. Upon retirement in 1974 as Colonel, he received the Legion of Merit Award for his distinguished military service.

In civilian life, he became an accomplished businessman and community leader. In partnership with his father, he built Dufek Oil Well Service into a thriving, nationally recognized business. The Independent Petroleum Association of America named him "Young Oil Man of the Year, 1957." After selling the family business in 1962 and "retiring," he pursued a second career in investments and estate planning. He developed the trust department at what became the Bank of Kansas. He served as a voluntary estate planner and trusted advisor for many people. During his life, he served on the boards of over 20 companies, and continued to be active on seven boards until his death.

He was a Hutchinson City Commissioner and Mayor in the 1960s. He served as Prairie Dunes Country Club Board Chairman, and was instrumental in bringing Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer to Prairie Dunes for an exhibition golf match in 1962. In the 1970s, he was elected President of the Hutchinson Junior College Board. A member of the Park Place Christian Church for over 50 years, as chairman of the church's Board of Trustees, he led the fundraising efforts in 1959 to build a new church sanctuary. In the late 1960s, he acted as chairman of the Reno County Health Facilities Planning Council and led the efforts to merge Grace and St. Elizabeth Hospitals and establish Hutchinson Hospital. For 40 years until his death, he served as a member and officer of the Board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, and earned a reputation as an authority on health insurance policy issues. With a passionate and deep commitment to helping his community and country, he provided leadership to numerous community organizations including the chamber of commerce, Rotary, Boy Scouts, and the YMCA.

On June 22, 1941, he married Elsie May Jones in Hutchinson. After World War II, they returned to Hutchinson where their five children were born and attended school. She died March 18, 1979 after a lengthy illness.

On October 6, 1979, he married Elizabeth (Betty) Paine Wilson, who had been a lifelong friend of both Harold and Elsie May. Betty and Harold were happily married until her death on February 1, 2003. Harold often expressed that, with his two marriages, he had been blessed with "60 years of wedded bliss." He was especially proud that his five children and Betty's three children formed strong family ties.

Survivors include four daughters and one son: Julie (Dan) Howland; Linda Dufek Lake; Nancy Dufek; Mary Dufek; and John (Debbie) Dufek. He had seven grandchildren: Paul Angulo, Eva Howland, Emilie Howland, Carrie Lake Rojas, Libby Dufek, Natalie Dufek, and Ellie Dufek, and five great-grandchildren. Other survivors include one stepson and two stepdaughters: David (Susan) Wilson, Beverly Wilson (Pat Halstead), and Karen (Pat) McLain. He had four step-grandchildren: Christopher Wilson, Sarah Wilson Lingle, Kelly McLain, and Jae Thomas McLain, and two step-great grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend its appreciation to the staff of Hospice Care of Kansas, Care 2000, and Collier Assisted Living Center and the Thorne and Hester Health Care Centers at Wesley Towers for the care and support they provided Harold. The family also thanks Dr. Robert Sourk and his staff, and Diane Ingraham, Hutchinson Hospital Respiratory Care Nurse, for their expert care.

Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Park Place Christian Church, Hutchinson, on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, with Pastor Kim Berry presiding. A private family burial of his ashes at the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum will follow the service. Friends may sign the register from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, or send personal condolences at www.elliottmortuary.com.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to Park Place Christian Church or Hazel Collier Employee Scholarship Fund at Wesley Towers, or a charity of the donor's choice. Contributions may be sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.