He attended Kemp High School in Bryan, Texas.

He accepted Christ at an early age.

Harold McGruder married Ella Ruth Tates in Bryan, Texas and two children were born, a daughter, Glory Joyce McGruder and a son, Harold Gene McGruder, Jr.  They moved to Lubbock, Texas and united with Lyons Chapels Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late, Pastor Hollins. He was an active choir member.  After many years of marriage, Harold McGruder and Ella Tates divorced.

Several years later he met a companion, Dorothy Lane and her three children, Winston Lane, Ulysses Lane and Ernestine Lane.

At the time of his death, his special friend was Miss Linda.

Harold McGruder was an entrepreneur owning a tire shop on highway 19 and a traveler.  He enjoyed touring the world and meeting people.  His main words of encouragement to his children was "always seek hero and don't settle for zero" and "I never had a bad day in my life."

He is preceded in death by his parents: Joe McGruder Sr., and Dorothy Phillips McGruder, Joe McGruder, Billy McGruder, Arron McGruder and a grandson Curtis Lee Harris (Squeaky).

Harold Gene McGruder Sr. leaves to love and cherish his memories, his daughter Glory McGruder Danford of Lubbock and Son Harold Gene McGruder (Stacie) of Lubbock, Texas. Three sisters, Nancy McGruder of Lubbock, Texas, Joyce Ann Johnson of Killeen, Texas and Georgia Ann Riles (Bishop) of Amarillo, Texas. Four brothers, James A. McGruder (Sandy), Eugene (Brenda) McGruder both of Arlington, Texas, Lynn Chester McGruder of Palestine, Texas and Douglas R. (Peggy) McGruder of Fort Worth, Texas. One uncle, Sam McGruder of Bryan, Texas. A host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mr. McGruder was a problem solver, adventures wonderful, kind man, who greeted everyone with a smile and loved his family dearly.