Clarence Eugene Harless Obituary

Gene had been fighting a decade long battle with Alzheimer’s disease which finally came to an end November 14th at 12:13 am. He passed in to Heaven quietly in bed with his loving wife Henrietta by his side.

Clarence Eugene (Gene) Harless was the fourth of five children and was born in Arizona in 1928. His parents Robert and Agnes Harless were farmers who moved to Wasco about the time Gene was in Jr. High School. Gene started high school in Wasco but his family moved to Shafter during his freshman year.

Gene was a talented football, basketball, and track athlete and he also loved to box. Gene held records as a high hurdler which he was very proud of. Gene graduated from Shafter High in 1946. Gene was inducted into the Shafter High School Athletic Hall of fame on the day he passed. When he was told of his award before his death he smiled and his chest swelled with pride.

After High School he worked as a farmer with his dad and also laid linoleum. In 1953 he became a firefighter for the Bakersfield City Fire Department. Over the course of a 30 year long career, Gene moved through the ranks and retired as the Assistant Chief in 1983. After he retired he operated his company, Tiger Hose Towers where he built and sold Hose Towers to fire departments across the country.

Spending time with the family was his favorite thing to do. His great sense of humor, his hard work ethic, and his loving heart made him a man that you had to love and respect. Gene loved hunting, camping, and recreational shooting and loved taking his family along to do all of these activities. He is proceeded into Heaven by his parents, Jessie and Agnes Harless, brothers, Lloyd and Clyde, sisters, Alene and Nadene and his sons, Greg and Larry Harless.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Henrietta, His daughter & son in law Jennifer & Ron Porter, daughters-in-law; Gail Harless and Shawna Harless Bobillot, Virginia Arenas. Grandchildren: Eric & Mindi, Ryan & Melissa, Nick, Hillarie & Shane, LeighAnn & Chuck, Travis & Teri, Mark & Krista, Brandon & Ihoreni, and Amber. Great-Grandchildren: Bretta, Emily, Sophia, Zaina, Sarah, Adam, Willow, Acacia, Anthony, Violet, Talia, Preston, Shalyn, Ray, Sam, Faith, Grace, Hope, Brandon, Mason, and Preston

Our family would like to especially thank his favorite nurse Linda Farmer, the precious staff at Deans Care Villa and Rob Harding from Kern River Family Mortuary.

Services will be held at Valley Baptist Church 4800 Fruitvale Ave, Bakersfield, Ca 93308 at 10 A.M. on Wednesday, November 18, 2015.

Published in Bakersfield Californian on Nov. 17, 2015

Freda Ann Cook Harless

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Charles Frederick Harless Jr Obituary

Dr. Charles F. Harless Jr., USAF Lt Col (Ret)

Dr. Charles Harless “Chas” passed away the morning of October 14th in the peace and comfort of his home while surrounded by family.

Charles was born on September 30, 1927 to Charles F. Harless Sr. and Mamie Harless in Durham, NC. His childhood was spent in Chapel Hill until age 10 when his family moved to Sanford, NC where his parents lived out their lives. At an early age Charles was recognized for having a beautiful singing voice and he won first place, receiving the highest marks possible, in the state competition for unchanged voices. He performed throughout his high school and college years then continued in church choirs as a soloist and graced many weddings including those of his children.

After graduating from high school Charles served a year in the Navy near the end of World War II. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and continued on to Dental School; graduating with UNC’s first Dental Class in 1954. Charles then joined the Air Force starting out in Colorado where he met his wife Paula. His family moved around the world being stationed in England, Texas, Florida, a tour in Viet Nam, Germany, and again in Florida before retiring in 1974 with 20 years of military service. Charles returned to Raleigh, and the state he always loved, to establish his private practice in Periodontal Medicine. He cared for his patients dearly and delighted in his daily interactions with them for another 28 years, finally retiring at age 75.

Chas was also an avid golfer becoming a member of North Ridge Country Club in 1980 which served as his second home when he retired. He kept a sharp mind working crossword puzzles, endlessly remembering and telling offbeat jokes, talking politics, and expressing opinions on any topic just for the fun of stirring things up.

Chas is survived by his wife of 58 years Paula, sons Jeffrey C. and Clay R. of Raleigh, Dr J. Matthew Harless of Roanoke, VA, stepsons Steven and Michael of Raleigh, a sister, Shirley Scott & husband of Boulder, Colorado, and 6 grandchildren. The progression of melanoma cancer shortened his time with us but we will continue to smile, laugh, show kindness, stay curious and always thoughtful as we remember him for the remainder of our days.

The family is inviting friends to share their memories of Chas with them at North Ridge Country Club, October 22nd, between 3:00 and 6:00 pm.

Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Charles Frederick Harless Jr

Born: 30 September 1927.
Died: 14 October 2014.
Parents: Charles Frederick Harless and Mamie A. Yarborough.
Spouse: Paula M.
Known Children: Jeffrey C. Harless, James Matthew Harless, Clay R. Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: 5th great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Martin Harless.
  3. Patrick Harless.
  4. John Harless.
  5. Anderson Harless.
  6. James Matheson Harless.
  7. Charles Frederick Harless.
  8. Charles Frederick Harless Jr.

Heirs of Joel Tillman Harless, Madison Co., Alabama

On 8 September 1847, Joel Tillman Harless, along with his wife, Sarah, sold 80 acres of land in two parcels to Benjamin R. Harris and his wife, Caroline. Unfortunately for Benjamin, the deed was written incorrectly and he needed to have it corrected. I do not know when he first noticed the error, but by the time he got around to getting it put right, Joel T. Harless had died. Benjamin’s misfortune is our good fortune, because now he had to bring suit against the heirs of Joel T. Harless and his own children (as the error in the deed had made the property over to them).

On 6 November 1854, Benjamin R. Harris and his wife, Caroline A. E. Harris (nee Vann), brought a bill of complaint against: Thomas Harless, John W. Harless, Charles Harless, Tib Allison, and his wife, Matilda, formerly Matilda Harless, Thomas Harris, Martha S. Harris, Nancy Harris, and Rosaline Harris [the 4 children of Benjamin and Caroline], of the county of Madison, State of Alabama, Andrew J. Middleton and his wife Rebecca, formerly Rebecca Harless, of the county of Jackson in said state, Sarah S. Harless of the county of Marshall in said state, and David Harless of the county of Marengo in said state.

The complaint goes on to explain how the errors with the deed came about and why it has not been corrected:

“…since the making of the conveyance, the said Joel T. Harless has departed this life, intestate, leaving the following named persons, his heirs at law, viz: Thomas Harless, David Harless, John W. Harless, Charles Harless, Matilda Allison formerly Harless, Rebecca Middleton, formerly Harless. The said Matilda has intermarried with and is now the wife of one Tib Allison, and the said Rebecca has intermarried with and is now the wife of one Andrew J. Middleton. The said Joel T., also left surviving him, a widow, one Sarah T. Harless.”

heirs of Joel Tillman Harless

The heirs at law listed for Joel Tillman Harless are his siblings and, as mentioned, his widow. In my records, I have that Sarah gave birth to a posthumous daughter of Joel and remarried a year or so later. BUT a posthumous child would have been entitled, under common law and the laws of Alabama, to a share of the estate (if they lived) and would have would have disinherited the siblings of Joel Tillman Harless. Eldrid Harless is listed in the 1850 Census in the household of Sarah and her second husband, Willis Kirkland, showing that if he was the son of Joel he had indeed survived and would be the lawful heir. Unfortunately for us there is nothing in this chancery case to show whether or not Benjamin R. Harris was mistaken in his listing of heirs.

Joel Tillman Harless

Born: before 1818.
Died: before 14 August 1851.
Parents: John Harless and Catherine Moser.
Spouse: Sarah Skelton.
Known Children: Milly Ann Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Henry Harless.
  3. John Harless.
  4. Joel Tillman Harless.

Charlotte Evelyn Bush Harless Obituary

Evelyn Bush Harless, age 80, of Granite Falls, passed away at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Hudson. Our beautiful mom passed away, Wednesday, September 7, 2011. She was born January 19, 1931 in Caldwell County to the late Doyle Bush and Alma McRary Bush. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Bud Bush.

Mrs. Harless retired from Fairfield Chair in 1989. She was a member of Lenoir Community Church, and attended Solid Rock Baptist Church.

Mrs. Harless is survived by five children, Pamela Harless of Granite Falls, Jeff Harless and wife Maria Jo Harless of Manheim, PA, Hal Harless and wife Martha Clawson Harless of Kernersville, NC, Andrea Harless and life partner, Tracey Kern of St. Petersburg, FL and Matt Harless and wife Catherine of the U.S. Air Force; sister, Pat Fox of Cornelius; two cats, Maja and Littlebit; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Jerry Stines and Rev. Jon Cameron. Interment will follow at Union Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Robert Harless, Jonathan Harless, David Harless, Steve Tolbert Jr., Lee Resor and Rustin Clawson.

Honorary pallbearers will be James Harless and Tim Clawson.

The family respectfully request donations and memorials be made to: Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, NC 28645.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Charlotte Eveyln Bush Harless

Born: 19 January 1931.
Died: 7 September 2011.
Parents: Doyle Bush and Alma McRary.
Spouse: Andrew Frederick Harless.
Known Children: Pamela Harless, Jeffrey Boye Harless, Hal Gordon Harless, Andrea Evelyn Harless, Matt Warner Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: wife of 5th great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Martin Harless.
  3. Patrick Harless.
  4. John Harless.
  5. Anderson Harless.
  6. James Matheson Harless.
  7. James Vernon Harless.
  8. Andrew Frederick Harless and Charlotte Evelyn Bush.

Anita K. Harless Obituary

Anita K. Harless, 56, of Kirkland, WA., was born May 8, 1945 in Fresno, CA. and passed away April 24, 2002 in Fairport, N.Y. She is survived by her loving husband Lee, her children Melody, Darrell (Lauri) and Karrie.

She is also survived by her mother Marie Anderson, sister Rowena Miller, and her grandson James Harless. She was preceded in death by her father Maurice Anderson. Services will be held on Thursday, May the 2nd a 2 p.m. There will also be a time of Viewing held that same day from 9 a.m. un til 2 p.m. The Services will be held at Purdy and Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Rd., Lynnwood.

Seattle Times, 1 May 2002

Anita K. Harless

Born: 8 May 1945.
Died: 24 April 2002.
Parents: Maurice and Marie Anderson.
Spouse: Meredith Lee Harless.
Known Children: Karrie Anne Harless, Melody M. Harless, Darrell Lee Harless.
Relationship to Johan Philip Harless: wife of 4th great-grandson.

  1. Johan Philip Harless.
  2. Henry Harless.
  3. John Harless.
  4. David Daniel Harless.
  5. David Jehu Harless.
  6. George Houston Harless.
  7. Meredith Lee Harless and Anita K. Anderson.