of Harrison, AR

February 13, 1925 - February 10, 2022

Perry Ray Harness, age 96, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 10, 2022. Born February 13, 1925, he was one of eight children born to James Riley and Malinda (Turney) Harness in Searcy County, Arkansas. Perry is preceded in death by his parents and wife, Martha Jane (Parker) Harness, a son-in-law, Austin Hall, four brothers, and one sister.

Perry was a World War II Veteran of the Combat Infantry. He holds the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, eight other medals, and was a lifetime member of the Disabled Veterans and the American Legion. He was a longtime member of the Arkansas Cattleman's Association, where he served as Chaplain and on the Board of Directors. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Hillcrest Home Board of Directors, charter sponsor of the Harrison Schools Foundation, Inc., and served 10 years on the Airport Commission as Chairman. In 2015, he was honored as a John Paul Hammerschmidt Man of Distinction.

Perry grew up at Bear Creek, south of Marshall, where he attended school, graduating from Marshall High School in 1944. Upon graduating, he was called into the Armed Forces where he fought and was wounded, in the Battle of the Bulge. After attending Draughon Business College, he began selling shoes and married Martha Jane Parker in 1949. The couple shared a "beautiful" daughter and "handsome, red-headed" son. In 1964, leaving the stores to be managed by his brothers, and later his son, Perry traded selling shoes for a hammer and began building houses and developing land in Boone and Newton counties - most notably in the Alta Vista and Southern Hills subdivisions. In 1973, he hung up his hammer and became a full-time farmer. While Perry was not active in the shoe business, he remained the President of Harness Shoe Corporation.

Perry accepted the Lord Jesus as his savior when he was 15 and was baptized five years later at the Parker Crossing on Crooked Creek. He was a longtime member of Southern Hills Missionary Baptist Church. He led devotions for 70 years. He had a smooth tenor voice and loved to sing. He was responsible for donating the land and helping to build the church in its current location.

Perry is survived by his wife, of the home, Syvalene Unwer Harness; daughter, Becky Hall; son, Rickey Harness and wife Cindy; sister, Veda "Jo" Smith; brother, James R. Harness, Jr.; four grandchildren and their spouses, Heather and Zach Guynn, Jeremy and Amy Hall, Richard and Samantha Harness, Ryan and Megan Harness; six great-grandchildren, Ethan and Ella Grace Guynn, Owen and Ingrid Harness, and Bennett and Greyson Hall. He will also be missed by Syvalene's children: Steve Harmon, Joe Unwer, and Betty Reynolds, as well as eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren who loved him well. There is a host of nieces and nephews that will miss Perry dearly.


Services will be Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church, Harrison, Arkansas, with Brother Mel Harness and Brother Wallace Casey officiating.

Interment will be at Maplewood Cemetery, Harrison, Arkansas.

Pallbearers are Richard Harness, Ryan Harness, Jeremy Hall, Zachary Guynn, Ethan Guynn, and Chris Adams.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Staff of Hillcrest Home.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 North Spring Street
Harrison, AR  72601
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com