of Memphis, TN

June 22, 1927 - January 26, 2022

If there was ever a symbol of a man, for Harold Aston, it was high-carbon steel. Such a complex balance of metal may look diminished and blemished over time, but in the right hands, such steel can be brought back to a sharp, reliable edge. For the vast majority of his 94 years, Harold's mind was as sharp as a honed high-carbon steel knife.

His keenly sharp mind served him well throughout his working life. From the age of nine, he worked in his dad's blacksmith shop, sweeping the floors. His father later trained him as a blacksmith. Making his own way in construction, he became a welder and a master mechanic, and later a shop supervisor.

He was a fixer of mammoth machines that built some of the nation's interstates, bridges, levees, and pathways through states and mountains. If it was made of metal, he could bend it to his will.

Harold also lived a life of stories, many of which he told at length to anyone who would listen. Not tall tales, but stories of hard work, characters, and foibles, which often elicited a chuckle during their telling.

Affectionately known to family as ''Gramps,'' Harold had a caring way, doting on his grandkids and great-grandkids, especially when they were young. In retirement, he loved to fish and to read - with aviation, World War II, and Civil War history as his favorites.

If he loved you, he fed you- his family, his friends, his dogs. You were always full, with an offer of more. He was known to weigh down those leaving his house with parting gifts of food and a story for good measure.

Sadly, many close family, friends, and furry friends have passed on throughout his nine decades of life. He himself survived heart bypass surgery, an infection that had it out for his leg, one lung that befuddled doctors (yes, he only had one lung), a broken hip, and then another before leaving rehab for the first hip. He was a tough guy.

Never a man known to express his emotions much, later in life he softened and would often remind you that he loved you and wanted to stay in touch ''cause there aren't too many of us left.'' Amazingly, Harold lived independently in his home until 2018.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him for the man he was, for his kindness and generosity to people he cared about, and for his zest for life. He was THAT guy, always.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, David Buren ''D.B.'' and Mary Lois (Griffin) Aston; two brothers, Bob and David Allen Aston; his wife, Lillian Louise (Stepp) Aston; son, George Aston; grandson, Harold Morris; and son-in-law, Lee Soult. He is survived by his daughter, Laura Louise Soult; his grandchildren, Elsie Bolton, Roberta Morris, Lindsey (Aston) Shelton, Becky Aston, and Jon Aston; and great-grandchildren, Abby and Marie Bolton, Will and Ava Aston, and Hunter Shelton.

Services will be held February 19, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis, Arkansas.

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