James Howard HARLESS^[1]
1927 - 2007

Search    Print    Login    Add Bookmark

• Birth	13 Jun 1927	Sumerco, Lincoln Co., WV
  Gender	Male
  Died	13 May 2007	Augusta Township, Ypsilanti Washtenaw Co., MI.
  Person ID	I691	Leonard
  Last Modified	22 Oct 2009

  
  

  Father	Chester HARLESS
  Mother	Emma TYLER
  Family ID	F00298	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family	Living LEONARD
  Children	1. Living HARLESS   2. Living HARLESS   3. Living HARLESS   4. Living HARLESS
  Family ID	F00297	Group Sheet

  
  

• Notes

  Notes for JAMES HOWARD HARLESS, courtesy Anna Harless, "descendants of William LEONARD", p95 James received two Honorable Discharges from the U.S. Army. The first on April 05, 1946 given at AGFRD#1 Camp Pickett VA as a Private Co. A 3rd Repl Bn 1st Regiment. To re-enlist. He then received a second Honorable Discharge on 04 April 1947 given at Camp Beale California as a Staff Sergeant 63rd Infantry Regiment, 6th Division Tank Destroyer. He was an Expert Infantry and Combat Infantry and certified as Expert Sharpshooter, Expert Rifle, Expert Carbine, Expert Machine Gun and Expert Bayonet. His military Occupational Specialty was Infantry and Cannon Basic Training and Infantry Cannon Crewman, He served in Kansan, Korea in which he supervised 20 enlisted cannon crewman assigned to maintain a self-propelled 105-mm Howitzer and keep in perfect condition. He directed practice firing, and cleaning. He conducted infantry platoon problems. He was certified and specially qualified for Cannoneer at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. At the time of discharge he was recommended for further military training. He was thanked by a letter from President Harry Truman and the White House (in the possession of this researcher) for his services. James is an avid flyer, with a runway located on his property. James also enjoys walleye fishing on Lake Erie. James is also known as "BEAR" a name he was not given but earned (his children state). Ann Arbor News, May 15, 2007 HARLESS, JAMES HOWARD Of Augusta Township, Ypsilanti, MI Age79 went to be with his Lord on Sunday May 13, 2007, after a long illness. He was born on June 13, 1927 in Lincoln Co. West Virginia the son of Chester Boyd and Emma Susan (Tyler) Harless. He married Dorothy Louisa LEONARD on March 18, 1950 in Bowling Green, Wood Co. Ohio and she survives. He served in the United States Army from 1945-1947, 63rd Infantry Regiment 6th Division, as a tank destroyer stationed in Kansan, Korea and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on April 04, 1947. Jim "Bear" was a building contractor by trade owning Yoakum-Harless Builders. He was the Constable, Building Inspector and on the Planning Commission of Augusta Township and the first Washtenaw County Deputy of Pittsfield Township, he was an expert marksman and sharpshooter. He was the pilot of his own private aircraft as well as an avid fisherman. He also enjoyed western square dancing, playing cards, bowling and the restoration of antique vehicles. Besides his wife, he leaves to mourn his death the following children: Anna Marie Harless-Blanton, James Alan (Jenifer) Harless and Jo Anne (Mark) Bacheldor; 8 grandchildren; Lisa, David, Marcus, Amy, Elizabeth, Jacqueline, Michael and Jessica; 10 great grandchildren, his brother, Billy (Nona) Harless of Alma and sister, Annie (Richard) Lumbert of Mt. Pleasant. He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved daughter Christine Lynne Desfosses, grandchildren; Traci and Christopher, a sister Sybil and a brother Boyd. The family will receive friends at the NIE FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 2400 Carpenter Rd. on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Thursday, May 17th from 12:00 Noon until the time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. His nephew Reverend Darryl Harless officiating. Interment with military honors will take place on the family plots at Alban Cemetery Ypsilanti, MI More about JAMES HOWARD HARLESS: Burial: May 17, 2007, Alban Cemetery, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co, MI Military service: Bet. 1945 - 1947, Staff Sgt. United States Army Occupation: Licensed Builder, Augusta Twp Building Inspector, Washtenaw Co. Sheriff Deputy




• Sources

  [S00120] Descendants of William LEONARD (1724-abt 1806) by Anna Harless, Anna Harless, (Name: Self-published;), p95. She (Dorothy Louisa Leoanrd) married JAMES HOWARD HARLESS March 18, 1950 in Bowling Green, Wood Co. OH, son of CHESTER HARLESS and EMMA TYLER. He was born June 13, 1927 in Sumerco, Lincoln Co. WV, and died May 13, 2007 in Augusta Township, Ypsilanti Washtenaw Co. MI.