Robert Wadlow’s towering stature as the tallest man ever recorded is well-known, but few are aware of his younger brother, Harold Wadlow Jr., who cherished a deep bond with Robert until his untimely death at 22, in 1940. Wadlow Jr., the youngest of former Alton Mayor Harold Wadlow Sr. and Addie May Wadlow’s five children, carried the Wadlow legacy until his own passing in December 2000, at the age of 68.
His life was marked by love and loss. He was married first to Roxy Dehne Wadlow and later to Kimma Ann (née Trigg) Wadlow, whose death preceded his by four years. He had two daughters, Lisa and Kimberly.
Despite his reserved nature, Wadlow Jr. stepped into the limelight to share his brother’s story, contributing to the book Boy Giant by Dan Brannan, published posthumously in 2003. His interviews offered a rare glimpse into the private lives of the Wadlows, a family both ordinary and extraordinary in their experiences.
Biography Of Harold Wadlow Jr.
Harold Franklin Wadlow Jr. was born on August 12, 1932, in the charming town of Alton, in Madison County, Illinois. He was the youngest member of the Wadlow family, with two brothers, Robert Pershing Wadlow (famously dubbed ‘Big Bob’) and Eugene Harold Wadlow, alongside two sisters, Helen Ione Wadlow and Betty Jean Wadlow, all preceding him.
His father, Harold Wadlow Sr., a man of stature in both business and politics, led the town as its mayor from 1945 to 1949 and was also known for his entrepreneurial spirit in the local show business scene. Meanwhile, Addie May Wadlow, his mother, devoted her life to nurturing and raising her five children in the heart of Alton.
As for education, Wadlow Jr. pursued higher learning at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, broadening his horizons beyond the familial and local community that had shaped his early years.
He Served During The Korean War
Wadlow Jr., at the tender age of 18 or 19, answered the call to serve in the Korean War. While the exact date of his enlistment remains a mystery, it’s known that he dedicated two years to the cause during the conflict, which spanned from 1950 to 1953.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with the 6.8 million brave American souls who served, he faced the trials of war between the pivotal ages of 18 and 21, marking his passage into adulthood amidst the echoes of battle.
At the age of 29, he embarked on a new chapter in St. Louis, joining the Veterans Administration as a realty specialist. His career spanned an impressive 31 years, culminating in a well-deserved retirement in 1992 after a lifetime of dedicated service.
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Harold Wadlow Jr. Was Married Twice To Roxy Dehne Wadlow And Kimma Ann Wadlow
Harold Wadlow Jr.’s journey through life and love began with his marriage to Roxy Dehne. The union blessed them with two daughters, Lisa and Kimberly. However, as sometimes happens, the marriage ended in divorce, leaving the reasons shrouded in mystery.
In 1990, at the age of 58, he found love again and married Kimma Ann Wadlow, whose maiden name was Trigg. Their hearts remained intertwined until her passing in 1996. While there are no records of children born from their union, Kimma brought joy to the family with her three sons, Chris, Jeffrey, and Michael Moore, from a previous relationship.
He Was The Last Surviving Member Of His Family To Die In 2000
Wadlow Jr. experienced profound loss in his family. Let’s delve into the details:
- Robert Pershing Wadlow, his older brother, was the first to pass away. On July 15, 1940, at just 22 years old, Robert succumbed to a septic blister in his right ankle. This unfortunate condition was caused by an ill-fitting iron brace he wore on his legs. Robert and Wadlow Jr. shared a unique bond, with Robert treating him like royalty. Remarkably, Robert stood at an astounding 8 feet, 11.1 inches (2.72 meters), and weighed 439 pounds (199 kg), securing his place as the tallest person ever recorded, as recognized by the Guinness World Record.
- Eugene Harold Wadlow, Wadlow Jr.’s second older brother, followed. He passed away on July 24, 1959, at the age of 37.
- Wadlow Sr., his father, met his end at the Alton Memorial Hospital on September 25, 1969, aged 76. His heart attack struck while he was playing golf at the Alton Municipal Golf Course.
- Addie May Wadlow, Wadlow Jr.’s mother, and Betty Jean Wadlow, his older sister, both passed away in 1980. Addie May left this world on December 25th, aged 83, while Betty Jean departed on May 11th, aged 56.
- Helen Ione Wadlow, his first older sister, breathed her last on February 4, 1989, at the age of 68, in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Finally, Wadlow Jr. himself succumbed to pneumonia complications at the Alton Memorial Hospital on December 31, 2000, at the age of 68. Before his passing, he granted an interview that contributed to the publication of Boy Giant, a book about his brother Robert, authored by Dan Brannan in 2003.
