Gordon "Red" Harden

Gordon "Red" Harden passed away at home on November 2, 2018 surrounded by his wife and son, along with young men he considered family.

Born in Checotah, OK to a young mother of 3, he spent his first 5 years in Bakersfield. During their stay she had 3 more children before returning to OK with Red and his 3 older siblings. Shortly after their return the children were placed in an orphan's home. Red ran away over 35 times before making a final, successful escape at age 11. He then decided to see New York! Once there, he lived under the subways and in Central Park. He quickly discovered the streets of the Big Apple were not a place for kids.

He rode the rails, did odd jobs, hitched rides with truckers and landed in Burbank in 1960 at age 12. Ironically, he got a job sweeping floors for legendary car builder Joe Bailon and the rest is history. "Big Red" was a natural! By age 15 he was in his own shop on Burbank Blvd and Carriage Masters Customs was born. From this modest beginning, Red evolved into the successful, humble, self-made man we all knew and loved. Some of his most notable contributions that have resulted in him being inducted into numerous Halls of Fame were DRAGULA from the Munsters, KITT from Knight Rider, the General Lee and The Silhouette and Car Craft Dream Car built in collaboration with Bill Cushenberry. He worked on over 100 celebrities' and athletes' cars to include Frank Sinatra & all of the Rat Pack. Among other philanthropic endeavors, he and Steve McQueen (also an orphan) donated 11 cars to Boys Home charity auctions

Red relocated his shop to Bakersfield to escape the hectic pace of Hollywood. Here he customized Buck Owens' parade car, with Nudie doing the interior, which hangs behind the bar at the Crystal Palace. Due to advances of computer technology and special effects used in Hollywood, he made the transition in 1996, into what has become Carriage Masters Collision Repair.

With those long legs and enormous reach, he excelled at every sport he undertook becoming accomplished at both golf and tennis. He attended many professional tournaments with his dear friend and player 7001 Auburn St)

When Red met Elecia and Garrett, the 3 of them became inseparable. His life took a rapid detour as he stepped away from cars & sports to be a family man. Finally having a family of his own, he enjoyed and savored every moment. His home became a refuge for many young people most of whom have remained in his life long term.

Proceeded in death by his beloved in-laws Curtis and Kitty Taylor, and recently discovered half-brother, Winston Harden of Shawnee, OK. Survived by his wife Elecia, son Garrett Blado, and brother in law Curtis Taylor. He also leaves behind numerous young people that made a special impact on his life to include Jayden MacDowall, Uriah Titus, Scarlett Smith, the Ludwig kids, Cody Neal, Kasey Morrow and John King.