Harold E. Rees, 79, died on March 19, 2021, at Great Bend Health & Rehab. He was born Dec. 8, 1941, at Goodland, the son of Charles Rees Jr. and Arlene (Kelley) Rees. 

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. First and foremost, Harold was a teacher whose philosophy was “To love his students like they were his own, bear with the mistakes and encourage them to do better.” Harold was a graduate of Bethany College and Indiana University where he achieved the Master of Arts in Education. Harold started his teaching career in Portis, Kan., in 1963, eventually locating to Great Bend High School in 1970, where he would say “I teach not just mathematics skills, I teach kids. I don’t teach mathematics,” until his retirement in 2003.

Harold is survived by his sister, Mary Jo Rees, Minneapolis, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Charles T. Rees. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 25, 2021, at Trinity United Methodist Church, with Pastor Chris Lehew presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to Trinity United Methodist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 24, 2021