Harold Ray Mattingly

SFC. Harold Ray Mattingly, age 76 of Sanford, NC, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at FirstHealth Moore Regional.

Harold was born on October 31, 1947, in Tulsa OK, he enlisted in the Army after graduating from Central High School.

 In September of 1967 was the start of his military career, which began with 2 tours in Vietnam, with the Army Infantry Division. After his two tours he began his training as an aviation electrician for helicopters. He worked on Huey, Chinook, and Apache helicopters. During his 22years in the Army, it allowed him and his family to travel and live in many places through out the United States. Toward the end of his time in the service he was an Instructor at Ft Eustis, Va. teaching the new recruits. This is the base where he retired, but more travels were still to come as he began the next career doing what he had always done for the military just as a civilian contractor.

After returning from his tours in Vietnam and before beginning his training he married Diane in March 1971. Together in their travels they had 3 Sons Ricky Dewayne Mattingly, Robert Dean Mattingly, and Randall David Mattingly. Eventually gaining daughters-in-law, which he would drop the in-law portion whenever he had the opportunity to boast on them. He was Blessed with 3 grandchildren Harley Dean Mattingly (Robert’s son), Racheal Kate and Logan Thomas Mattingly (Randall & Karen’s kids). Each one of his children and grandchildren was the “apple of his eye”, he enjoyed every minute spent with them.

 He was the son of the late Othal Mattingly and Annie Hall Mattingly.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert Dean Mattingly, brother, Robert Eugene Mattingly, sister Elizabeth Mattingly, and grandchild, Harley Dean Mattingly.

Harold enjoyed serving, he was raised a Jehovah Witness by his parents but had questions and didn’t quite understand but sought answers. This led him to joining and being baptized on March 27, 2011 at Solid Rock, where he began serving on many boards for the church. He later was persuaded by his granddaughter Rachael to join Grace Chapel where she and her family attends. In 2013 he joined Grace Chapel, he served on the Deacon board, enjoyed participating in Love Week, and working in AWANA program. I believe AWANA had to have been one of his favorite ministries that he served in working with the Cubbies and watching them grow and take their first steps in understanding Christianity. He would say it was true, “You sow the seed, and someone will come along and water and nourish it and it will grow to mature in Christ Jesus our Lord”. He also enjoyed all his Bible studies, there he was asked questions that made him search the Bible as well as soul search himself, and that made his faith grow. He loved his church family when his health prevented him from attending as he wanted, he continued to read his Bible and daily devotions.

The graveside service will be held on Sunday, August 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Grace Chapel Church Cemetery with the Rev. Joel Murr officiating. Military Honors will be bestowed at the service. Mr. Mattingly will lie in state at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home on Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

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