Dr. Harold Temple, age 86, of Plainview, TX, passed away Monday, January 27, 2025, at home with his loving wife and partner, Audrey by his side. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 15th at 10:00 AM for Dr. Harold Wayne Temple at Harral Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX. Cremation services are under the care of Lemons Funeral Home in Plainview.

Harold was born in Corpus Christi, TX, on November 2, 1938. He was the middle child of his father Ralph Lee and Maudie Christine Ashley Temple. After moving around South Texas with his family he graduated from Bishop High School in Bishop, TX, in 1956. He spent a summer working on a bee farm in North Dakota after graduation. He then started attending Southwest Texas State College (SWT) in San Marcos, TX, and graduated from SWT with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and then completed his Master's degree.

While at SWT he met Audrey Jean Bosak and they were married in Old Ocean, TX, September 2, 1960. They soon moved to Arlington, TX, where Audrey taught elementary school and Harold taught at Arlington State University while he studied for his PhD at Texas Christian University. While working on his PhD, he and Audrey welcomed their first child, Joliane Lea Temple.

Upon receiving his PhD from TCU in 1969, the new family moved to Beaumont, TX, where he worked for Dupont Chemicals. While in Beaumont, he and Audrey welcomed their second child, son Ladd Ashley Temple. Deciding corporate life was not what he aspired to do, the family moved to Pleasanton, TX, where Harold continued his teaching career at Pleasanton High School.

In the summer of 1976, Harold and Audrey moved their family from Pleasanton, TX, to Plainview, TX, where he was a Professor of Chemistry at Wayland Baptist University. During his tenure at WBU he taught every chemistry course in the curriculum as well as other science courses and was Dean of the Graduate program from 1983-1988. More than half of his students went on to attain post-graduate or professional degrees. Three of his former students went on to become chemistry professors at Wayland and another went on to work at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. In addition, he taught at remote WBU campuses in Lubbock, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, and Anchorage, AK. In 2007, at his retirement, he was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor of Chemistry. Upon retiring from WBU he continued teaching there, this time he taught classes on wire wrapping and jewelry making.

Harold loved Jesus and was very active throughout his time in Pleasanton, as the pastor for Old Rock Baptist Church in nearby Somerset, TX. He continued sharing the gospel and love of Jesus as a guest preacher throughout many churches in South and West Texas. He and Audrey, taught Young Married Sunday school classes and were always very involved with the students of WBU, mentoring and hosting them at their home. Harold and Audrey were both very involved with foreign missions and were friends with many Southern Baptist missionaries throughout the world.

Harold was a true rockhound and loved going on trips with friends and family to rock hunt. In fact, anywhere he went he was looking for rocks, arrowheads, gems, and minerals. He was a member of the Hi-Plains Gem and Mineral Society and made many pieces of jewelry from his collection. Harold was also very active with the Lion's Club for many years. Through the Lion's he was actively involved with Meals on Wheels for years in Plainview helping shut-ins and others who needed this charity mission.

Harold was preceded in death by his father, Ralph and mother Maudie Temple, his brother Herman Temple, and his sister Opal Zamzow. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Audrey Temple, daughter Joli (Temple) Storm along with her husband Greg Storm, son Ladd Temple and his wife Robin Temple, grandchildren Chloe Howard, Brock Storm, Hope Storm, Tegen Storm, Jade Temple, Ember Temple, Isabelle (Belle) Temple, and great granddaughter Amelia Howard.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Harold and Audrey Temple Endowed Scholarship at Wayland Baptist University are appreciated.