Harold James Messer died Saturday in Prague. He was 77.

He was born April 1, 1923, in Gurnsey, Iowa, the son of John and Alta Norton Messer.

Mr. Messer was a retired purchasing agent for Southern California Edison Company.

He married Tina McGraw in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 8, 1946.

Mr. Messer had been a resident of Prague since 1976.

He was a member of the Prague First Baptist Church.

Mr. Messer also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Masonic Lodge, the India Shrine and was a 32nd degree member of the Guthrie Consistory.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Survivors include his wife, Tina Messer of the home, two daughters and a son-in-law, Linda M. and Bill Young of Checotah and Shirley Ann Messer of Prague, one son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Kathy Kottkamp of LaHarba, California, two sisters, Bernice Fitzsimmons of Albia, Iowa and Dorothy Carpenter of Desert Hot Springs, California, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous friends.

Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the First Baptist Church, Prague with the Rev. Tim Emmons officiating.

Burial will follow in Prague Cemetery.

There will be no viewing or visitation. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home.

Published October 3, 2000.