of Harrison, AR
December 31, 1959 - December 19, 2012
Brian Mitchell Harness, age 52, of Harrison, passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born December 31, 1959, in Harrison, the son of Daniel Troy and Barbara (Downum) Harness. His father preceded him in death on August 8, 2012.
Brian was a member of CrossRoads Community Church. He was the owner of Ozark Woods, which he founded in 1982 soon after marrying his wife Laura on January 22 of that same year. He was a World and National award -winning taxidermist. He enjoyed going to taxidermy shows, where he either competed or served as judge. Brian was an avid sportsman, hunter, trapper and fisherman. He loved his pets, especially his Labrador, Tank, and his fox, Jasper. He also loved spending time with family and telling stories and watching Andy Griffith shows.
Brian is survived by his loving wife of almost 31 years, Laura (Boswell) Harness; his mother, Barbara Harness; his sons and daughter-in-law, Grant and his wife Melanie Harness and Giles Harness; his daughter, Breezy Harness; his sister and brother-in-law, Danielle and Ralph James; his brother and sister-in-law, Craig and Norma Harness; a host of other family and many dear friends.
Visitation was Friday, December 21, 2012, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.
Funeral service was Saturday, December 22, 2012, at CrossRoads Community Church, with Rev. Johnny Walters officiating and Taz Ellett and Craig Harness speaking.
Interment was in Maplewood Cemetery following the services.
Pallbearers were Grant Harness, Giles Harness, Justin Harness, Tom Gentry, Robert Eddings, Bob Parkhill, Steve Atkinson and Michael Atkinson.
Honorary pallbearers were Taz Ellett, Dr. Mahlon Marris, Mitch Webb, Tim Harness, Roger Harness, Gary Harness, Bruce Rogers, Employess Dale Boggus, Brad Hawthorne, Deron Snowden, Arkansas Taxidermist Association and the National Taxidermist Association.
My thoughts & prayers go out to you at this time of sorrow.
Barbara, I am so sorry about your son. We never know what God has in store for us. He gets ready for them, and we are not ready to give them up. But we know there is a better day coming where we can all be together again. Don't know if you have heard, but I lost James in August of this year too, so I can sympathize with you on your loss. Love & Prayers, Lola
My thoughts and prayers are will all of you.
though I didnt know you all well, I had a lot of respect for Brian. I was the Pres. Of the Ky Assoc. After I meat you all, I saw how down to earth, and what good people you were. The Taxidermy Industry has lost a true icon. Brian judged my daughters first mount, a Racoon, she is 10 years old. Standing back and watching him getting down to her level, showed what kind of guy he was! He sure made a big impression on my daughter! God Bless you all! And God Speed Brian!
Praying for all of you.
To Mrs. Laura and all the Harness Clan :
Jim and I were devestated to hear of your loss. Please know we are mourning with you and holding you close to our hearts. You mean so very much to us, from so many phases of our life, and on so many levels.
With love,
Jim and Tami Burcham
My thoughts and prayers for the harness family.
Dear Laura and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We are praying for peace and comfort for your family! Take strength from your faith and know that God will see you through.
In Christ,
Bill and Suzanne Grant
We were so shocked to see Brians's name in the obituary in the Democrat Gazette this morning. Please know how deeply saddened we are, but rejoice that he's with Jesus. May the Lord's peace and presence be heavy upon you. Know that the Eoff family loves your family very much.
DEAR HARNESS FAMILY, SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL . PEACE AND COMFORT IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL. NELDA COFFMAN , FAMILY.
Laura, Giles, Grant, Breezy and family,
Our hearts are deeply saddened to hear the news of Brian's passing. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May the Holy Spirit give you comfort and strength in the days ahead.
Love, Vanessa, Wayne, Shannon and Jessica Kelly
My heart breaks for you, Laura...and for your children. I am keeping the Harness family in my thoughts and prayers. I can't help but think of Brian and Troy together again. What a reunion! I pray you will all be comforted knowing they are with our Lord, Jesus Christ. You will be together again in the most perfect of all places. Love to all.
Shocked to hear the news of Brian's passing. Fond memories of a guy of solid character from many years ago at HHS. Blessings and comfort to Laura and the rest of the family.
Mrs. Harness, Breezy, Giles and Grant, I am so very sorry for your loss. I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
We are so saddened to here of your loss. Brian was such a good friend for so many years to our family. May God be with you::R.I.P. our friend
Thought snad prayers are with you all.
We are old friends of the Harrnes boys from Brear Creek.
James Harness is about my age.
Laura and Barbara & Harness Family,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Brian's passing. My prayers are with you during this time. Remember though, that even though Brian and Troy are not with you, they are with their Heavenly Father and you will see them again some day. Think instead on all the happy times you had together.
Sincerely,
Sarah
To the Brian Harness family, so sorry to hear of your loss. I work with Maureen Harness who is Brian's ex-sister-in-law she grew to befriend and care for Brian and his family. It sounds like they had a special bond as family members and I am sure that Brian holds a special place in her life with him being her brother-in-law for thirty something years. May God comfort you during this time. Joyce Lee Rose Bud, AR
Sorry to hear of the passing of Brian. May God pour out his strength at this time. He will be missed. Pat-Donna Casey
Laurs, Breezy,and family,
My deepest sympathy to all of you, and my heart goes out to each of you, also. I will continue to hold you in my prayers for a long time. This is a very difficult time, but you have a stong faith which will see you through everything.
Take hold of God's hand....
Polly
Teacher,mentor,friend and a very very good man.He will be greatly missed
BRIAN WAS A WONDERFUL AND EXTREMELY TALENTED MAN. JOE ,MARY,SAMMY AND THE STAFF WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY. THE HARNESS FAMILY WILL BE IN OUR PRAYERS.MAY GOD BLESS.
I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. He will leave a gaping hole in the taxidermy industry that will never be filled. I never heard a bad word about him, only good. He will be missed by many. Prayers go out to all whose lives he touched. I know he is in Heaven now, probably teaching classes to the Angels. May he rest in peace.
May God draw you close during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was shocked and saddened the moment I heard the news of Brian's passing, but at the same time I was immediately flooded with fond memories of our time at Forest Heights Elementary, and Harrison Jr High. What a great man, and how I wish I had something profound I could say they would ease the pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Harness family.
I am so very sorry for your family's loss. May God bless and keep you during this most difficult time..
Laura ~ words cannot express our sympathy. As Brian sits in God's presence I pray Gods love, comfort and peace surround you all. The Kanakuk family is praying for you all.
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with your Family .
He must have been a wonderful man. I know that you will miss him. I regret that I never got to stop and get acquainted with him, when I came through Harrison.
Ethna Billings
Charlsie Billings
(We are descendents of Jennie Harness)
You have such a blessings, knowing that Brian was a good man and to know that he is in heaven enjoying God's riches with his Dad. Please know that you are all in out thoughts & Prayers during this difficult time. May God lessen your grief and give you comfort. God bless all of you.
You and your family are in our prayers. May you all find comfort in the grace of the Lord.
Laura, Giles, Grant, Breezy,
We are so very sorry to here about Brian. He was a good man. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you all. You all have had to experiance a lot of sadness this year and are hearts are with you.
Love to you all,
Rick, Tara, Tonya, Elizabeth, Samantha and Angi
Our hearts are heavy for you and all the Harness family. David and I regret that we have to leave Harrison before the visitation and services. Please know that we will be lifting you up in prayer during the days to come. God bless you with an extra portion of his grace and strength.
Love,
David and Marquette
I’m like most of you posting here, first saddened at the news that Brian had a accident, then in shock when told he didn't recover.
We've all lost someone that’s had an impact on our lives, Brian made an impact on the Taxidermy industry. He set the standard on solid wood panels back in the 1980's. Brian loved to compete in taxidermy competitions and made manikins that were life like and easy to mount on. He opened his shop to everyone and had hands on training. Brian enjoyed studying God’s creatures. The awards that he won over the years are too many to list here. Brian’s gift from God was the love of the outdoors.
Brian’s faith was in Jesus Christ. His family was blessed because of his leadership and love for them, they will miss him the most, my prayers are for the ones left behind that are having to cope with Brian’s passing. I want to thank the good Lord for allowing me to be touched by Brian.
Laura, Giles, Grant and Breezy - So sorry for your loss. I have such warm happy thoughts of your family. I remember Brian coming to AWANA with his dog to use him as a tool to teach kids about the plan of salvation. He was such a great man. I pray that you can learn to remember the happy times and that they outweigh your sorrow. Praying for you.
Wednesday was a very sad day to all of us in the taxidermy industry. Brian was an avid competitor, excellent judge, and wonderful friend. He truly will be missed. Laura, we keep you in our prayers.
All of our prayers and love to you during this time of grief. Brian and your entire family mean so much to us. Many joyous times spent together. Will always remember us "guys" fixing dinner for our favorite ladies for Valentines day one year. May God bless and keep you.
In Christ's Love,
Randy & Jill Rose
We will sure miss Brian at all our taxidermy shows. Laura, may God bless you and your family.
Laura... No words can express how saddened we are by your loss nor any words make it easier or better. Even still, I felt I should say something. If you need anything we are able to give, please dont hesitate to ask!
The only comforts I have in this are knowing he was strong in his faith in God, the many positive ways he was able to be there for others even to his last day here, and the care and love he offered to his family and friends.
Like many other we will remember his face with that kind warm smile. And that his passing is only temporary.
*hugs*
Laura and Family - We were blessed to have known Brian - A great person. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers-
My sympathy goes out to all the family, I only knew Brian through him judging my Fox at the Pennslyvania state taxidermy championships, but he talked like we knew each other for years! I truly looked up to his work, such a sad day in the industry
Our prayers are with you. Rest assured that Brian is in a better place....he is withe the true sculptor of all.
We have been faithfully praying for your family and ache with pain for you.
Brandon's grave stone reads. "Our loss is great, but God is Greater". Thankful that we all know a love that understands the pain but gives us the assurance of Heaven. May he wrap you in his arms. We love you guys.
Brian always treated me and my family with high regards and respect. An example he was as a true man. I can only offer prayers for the family. Rest in peace my friend
My heart breaks for your family. I would lke to send a special heartfelt word of sympathy to Grant and Giles. I was a student teacher at their elementary school, when they were in the second grade. I was Ms. Greenhaw to them, then. I pray that this pain and sorrow will soon pass, and be replaced with fond memories and peace. Barbara and Danielle may remember me as the girl who worked with Meriam and Nina Dodson at the shoe palace in the late seventies. My love to you all. Cheri
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you find strength and comfort in the loving arms of our Saviour.
Laura and family, my heart breaks for you all. May God Bless you and keep you in this difficult time. Brian will truly be missed by all.
Laura,
We are so sorry for your loss, Brian will be missed by all of us in the taxidermist industry. His love for animals was displayed in his work and his attention to detail. My God bless you and the kids in this time of sorrow.
Our hearts are with the family of Brian during these trying times.
May he rest in peace.
Our prayers are with THE HARNESS family. Rest in peace Brian
Brian will truly be missed by many. God speed.
Laura - I am so sorry for your loss- I remember Brian growing up down the road from us and always watching all his animals - then, in more recent years the friend he has been to my husband, Chris - our families share so many memories and Brian was a great husband, father and friend to all - Love and prayers - Natalie and Chris
Laura, so sorry for your loss, he is a legend in all was to me!
Laura and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Brian will be missed by many. May God bless each and every one of you.
Laura,I'm so sorry to hear about Brian. He was one of my most trusted friends. He was an inspiration to me and a fine christian man. I'm sorry to miss the funerial and visitation. I hope to see you in the near future. My wife Vicky and I send our love. Barry Johnson
Laura, God Bless you and the kids. I just dont have the words. Gods Love to y'all.
Laura, I am so sorry to hear of your loss....please know that I am thinking of you and your family at this sad time....
Laura & Family, So sorry about Brian. He was a very nice and talented man. I will be praying for you and your family. Take comfort in knowing how many prayers are going up for you.
Laura and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Brian was a truly good soul and dear friend. He will be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to have touched his life. You and your families will be in my heart and prayers during this time of sorrow.
Helen
Laura & Family - We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Brian. We have many wonderful memories of Brian. We will keep you in our thoughts & prayers.
Laura and Family,
I am so sorry about Brian. He was an inspiration to all that met him. I am praying for you all. May God comfort you all.
Your friend
Martha