Jerry J. Hargrove

Reverend Jerry J. Hargrove, II, 79, of Bethlehem; died on Sunday, June 24, 2012 surrounded by his family at his residence. He was born December 10, 1932 in Cordele, GA; son of the late Jerry and Lucille (Stevens) Hargrove. Rev. Hargrove is survived by his loving wife, Calvina (Brown) Hargrove.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he worked in the Chaplain Corps. When Rev. Hargrove left Korea, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree.

Rev. Hargrove earned his Master's Degree in Divinity from Muhlenberg College while beginning his 29 year career with the Bethlehem Steel. At the time of his retirement, Rev. Hargrove was the Affirmative Action Coordinator. After retirement, he also spent 15 years as a truck driver for Wampler Longacre and Pilgrim Pride.

Rev. Hargrove enjoyed teaching and took great pride in his churches. On November 13, 1959, he was ordained in the Union Baptist Church. In December of the same year, he was elected to lead the Second Baptist Church, Bethlehem. He was the Pastor of Second Baptist Church in Bethlehem for 29 years. More recently, Rev. Hargrove was an Associate Pastor and Director of Christian Education at the Union Baptist Church in Allentown.

Rev. Hargrove enjoyed sports. He played football and he boxed through his high school and college career and became an amateur boxer known by friends and fans as "The Little Joe Louis". He also enjoyed to golf and was an excellent bowler. Rev. Hargrove was a 33rd degree Mason, Past President and Lifetime member of NAACP, at one time ran for office in the Bethlehem City Council and was Vice President of the Central Baptist Association.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Calvina; his daughter, Laura Hargrove of Allentown; son, Jerry Hargrove, III of Pottstown; step- daughters, Rev. Deborah and her husband Bishop David Dussard of Emmaus; Joann Cheeks of Whitehall; Charlene Morgan of Allentown; step- sons, Lawrence Williamson of Allentown; and Charles Mans of New Jersey; as well as 12 step- grandchildren and six step- great- grandchildren. He will also be dearly missed by his sister, Lucille Henry, brothers, Rev. James, Robert and Jake Hargrove, his sister-in-law, Alberta Hargrove and many nieces and nephews. Rev. Hargrove was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Hargrove and his siblings, Christine Seary, Bessie Golett, Willie Hargrove and L.C. Hargrove.

Arrangements have been made with the support of the Connell Funeral Home, Bethlehem.

A Service will be held to celebrate Rev. Hargrove's life 11 AM on Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Union Baptist Church, 302 N. 6th St., Allentown, PA 18102. The family will receive friends in the church from 9 AM until the start of service. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Allentown.

Contributions may be made to the church.

Cemetery
Cedar Hill Memorial Park
1740 Airport Rd.
Allentown PA 18103
US

Visitation
Saturday, June 30, 2012
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Union Baptist Church
302 N. 6th St.
Allentown PA 18102
US

Service
Saturday, June 30, 2012
11:00 AM
Union Baptist Church
302 N. 6th St.
Allentown PA 18102
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531