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.
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28 Condolence(s)
Kirk and willie Jo gulbranson
Friday, March 11, 2022
dear ones, Perry was very dear. I remember Prarie view church and the classes he taught the children. we all lived near one another on Union rd. My prayers are with the family. I have very good memories.
Sandy neighbors
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
He helped me out front of his house when my car wheel fell off going dwn rd,I had 3 kids with me mine,he came out and fixed it so nice thank you! Prayers for the family
Bev Worley
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Sweet Becky, so saddened to hear of the loss of your precious daddy. Thinking of you all and praying that the many, many wonderful memories with him to be bringing you much comfort in the days ahead. Love you.
Bob and Joann Estes
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Rick, Cindy, Becky and families
Perry was a wonderful man. And I know he was so proud of all of you. God blessed him with a long life and a precious family. God bless all of you.
Linda Earnest
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Becky, we are so very sorry for your loss of your beloved father. It’s so hard to lose our parents. We are lifting you and all your family up in prayer during this difficult time. Roger & Linda Earnest
David Parker
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
To the Harness family:What a great man Perry was and a loss to the family I will always think of him as Uncle Perry and the time we all got lost on a big coon hunting trip. Even when things didn't look so good he always had a way of seeing some humor in it. Thinking of you all:David Parker
Jan Sprott
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
We are so sorry to hear of Perry’s passing away. What a kind man. We are thinking of all of his wonderful family.
Jack D Witty
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Viki Moyers
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Thinking of you and sending our love, prayers and condolences during this time.
Joan (Gredell) Price -
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
So sorry to hear of Perry's passing. What a gentleman he was
and will be missed by so many of us, even though we are not
close by any more. Best wishes and sympathy to you and
Rick and your families. Fond memories of you all.
se
Ken Raver
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Perry was a very good man. I bought 20 acres from him on the Wooded Hills Subdivision of Newton County and built a house where I am still living. We have always called the subdivision "Perry Land".
Sending Love and Prayers to his family.
Gwen Nelson
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Becky, I am sorry for your loss. He will always be in your heart as my Dad is with me. Your Dad was someone I truly admired as we were growing up.
Sam & Mary Cecil
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Sorry for your loss. Condolences to the family. He was a good man who will be missed. Always enjoyed visiting with him.
Don & Reita Yarbrough
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
So sorry for your loss
Malinda Cash
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
It was a privileged to know Perry - he was a fine gentleman, a God-fearing man who tried to live in such a way that others could see Christ working in his life. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Jack & Pj Reynolds
Monday, February 14, 2022
So sorry for your loss, we were blessed to have Perry as a friend. Our prayers for you & your family.
Shirley J. Gray
Monday, February 14, 2022
My thoughts and prayers goes out to Perry's family.
Kathy & Laura Shaw
Monday, February 14, 2022
Sending prayers & our deepest sympathy to all of the family.
Billie Brisco
Monday, February 14, 2022
So sorry to hear about our good friend. We always enjoyed visiting with Perry. He was a good guy. Prayers for family.
Betty burge
Monday, February 14, 2022
One of the finest men I ever knew. Prayers to the family. Take care and God Bless
John and Darlene Schaffer
Monday, February 14, 2022
So sorry for your loss, Perry was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. Your family is in our prayers.
Donna Plumlee
Monday, February 14, 2022
Becky, so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful legacy your dad left for his family.
Meredith and Ginger Miller
Monday, February 14, 2022
We are so sorry for the loss of your wonderful father. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cathy and Dale Minor
Monday, February 14, 2022
Sorry for your loss. God bless you all.
Paula(Blair)Lea
Monday, February 14, 2022
My prayers and my heart goes out to all... I'm truly sorry for your loss,
God Bless
fred t woehl
Monday, February 14, 2022
Was BLESSED and HONORED to have Perry as a friend. Always enjoyed visiting with him and sharing.
He will be missed. Prayers for his family and friends.
Debbie Blackburn
Monday, February 14, 2022
Becky I am praying for you and your family. I am greatfull for your fathers service to the military. A dedicated father, and dedicated to the Lord. God Bless you.
Linda and Paul Mathis
Monday, February 14, 2022
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Perry. He was such a sweet person who helped many people. Paul and his dad, Ray, bought many bales of hay from him over the years. Just remember the previous memories you all have of him. Prayers for comfort and our love.