Schlather, Harold

Harold Schlather, 85, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on February 7, 2017 after a short illness. Harold proudly served in the US Navy during the Korean War. He earned his Master’s in School Administration at UNM and taught history and social studies at McKinley Middle School for 25 years. He was one of Albuquerque’s first and finest balloon pilots, flying in the first Balloon Fiesta at Coronado Mall. He also loved to fly small planes. He was an avid outdoorsman who shared his love of the outdoors with his family. He loved camping, fishing, hiking and hunting. He was also a skilled bow hunter.

Harold is survived by his wife of 56 years Mary Frances; daughter, Karen and husband Jeff Stevens, daughter Denise Lewis; grandchildren, Shannon, Jeremy and wife, Crystal, Jesse and Jessika; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Caelum, and sister, Patty Jo Picard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Crystal Schlather and Harold Schlather Sr.

A Rosary will be recited Thursday, February 23, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 85 State Road 344, Edgewood, NM 87015. Mass will be celebrated Friday, February 24, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Interment will follow 3:00 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Martin’s Hospitality Center at P.O. Box 27258, Albuquerque, NM 87125 or the Animal Humane Society, 615 Virginia Street SE, Albuquerque NM 87108. Please visit our online guestbook for Harold at www.FrenchFunerals.com