Rupert "Captain Junior" Brook Harden

Rupert “Captain Junior” Brook Harden, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020, at the age of 87. Rupert died peacefully surrounded by his family who rejoiced with him as he took his final earthly breath and stepped into his eternal home in glory, alive forevermore!

He is survived by his son, Ray Allen Harden (Wanda); Daughters, Debbie Robbins (Tom), Brenda Smith (Jeff), Janice Milton (Bo), Melissa (Missy) Murray (Danny); Stepson, John Cannon; Stepdaughters, Elizabeth Lecour (Kenny), Johnnie Jean Leonard (James), Betty Sue Johns (William), and Diane Jerkins (Jeff); Wife, Dorothy C Harden; 35 Grandchildren, 49 Great Grandchildren, and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Ramona Harden and his grandsons, Jeremy Brook Harden, and Corey Ray Brangan.

Junior was born at home in West Palm Beach, FL on April 20, 1933 to father Rupert L Harden and mother Nellie Miller.

Junior was a third generation commercial fisherman, who learned the trade from his father which he in turn passed down to his son, grandsons and great grandsons. His father, Rupert L Harden was born in Salt Pond Long Island Bahamas where he was a commercial fisherman. Many of the commercial fishing families in the Bahamas moved to Singer Island and West Palm Beach, Florida where their children took residency and began their families. Junior met and married Betty Ramona Newsome there. They were childhood sweethearts who met at the early age of 12. He knew then he would build a life and family with her. Together they created a family with 5 children and many grands and great grands. To be closer to the fish house, Inlet Fisheries, which would reduce his time away from home, Junior moved his family to Fort Pierce, FL where they lived for more than 30 years in the house he and Betty dreamed of. He later moved to Port Saint Lucie, where he resided with his wife Betty until her passing in 2013.

Junior was a Christian man, and not only a fisherman but a fisher of men. He sought out those in need and had a compassionate heart and love for those hurting. He wanted everyone to “have their ticket” which was his way of witnessing and sharing his faith in Jesus. He left an impression on most everyone he crossed paths with and the stories are abundant.

Junior attended church regularly and through his friendships there, met a wonderful woman, Dorothy (Dot) whom he married in December 2018. They shared many wonderful moments, although too short, added joy to one another’s life. She was compassionately by his side throughout and when he passed.