Wilbur E. Harkness Jr.

Wilbur E. Harkness, Jr., beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on March 21, 2024.

Wilbur was born on Christmas Day, 1922 in Tampa, FL to Wilbur E. and Blanche Mason Harkness. He graduated from Hillsborough High School in Tampa, FL in 1939. He attended John B. Stetson University of De Land, FL for one year before going to the Coast Guard preparatory school in Washington, D.C. He was in Washington, D.C. the day Pearl Harbor was attacked and said that it was chaotic that day.

Wilbur enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps. in 1942 and was sent to Montgomery, AL for pilot school. It was there that he met Carolyn Harrod, the love of his life. They were married on June 3, 1944, in Barksdale, LA. They enjoyed 70 years of marriage.

Wilbur served 10 months in the European Campaign, completing 44 missions over Southern France, Italy and Germany. He was a decorated B-26 pilot, receiving four Bronze Stars.
Upon his return to the United States, Wilbur was discharged shortly after the surrender of Japan and immediately enrolled in Georgia Tech where he graduated as an Electrical Engineer in December 1948. In 1949 he was employed as an engineer by Schlumberger Well Services and worked in Liberty, Columbus and Houston, TX. He retired after 34 years with Schlumberger and moved to Midland, TX to be near his daughter and her children.

Wilbur was a member of the Westside Church of Christ where he served as an Elder. He also served as an elder while in Liberty, TX, as well as the Westbury congregation in Houston, TX. He was a spiritual man of great courage and honor. He gave of himself to enrich the lives of his family, as well as many others.
Wilbur is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carolyn, who went to Paradise on June 6, 2014. Wilbur was also preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Alan W. Harkness, sister Helen Mraz and son, Wilbur E. Harkness, III.

Wilbur is survived by his daughter Janet Lary (Milton) of Midland, TX and son William L Harkness (Brenda) of Midland, TX. He has six grandchildren, Matt Grett (Terri) of Canyon Lake, TX, Nathan Lary (RaShea) of May, TX, Kristin King (Jonathan) of Richardson, TX, Lauren Ivanhoe (Kolby) of Katy, TX, Brittney Cohorn (Patrick) of Midland, TX and Brooklyn Shumate (Brady) of Dallas, TX, and 14 great-grandchildren, Chase Harris, Carson Grett, Tristin and Collins King, Callie, Aislyn and Cole Lary, Payton and Riley Ivanhoe, Halle, Graham and Annie Cohorn and Addie and Tucker Shumate, along with several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Westside Church of Christ with Mike Vestal officiating. Inurnment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the Manor Park Foundation, Inc., 2208 N. Loop 250 W., Midland, TX 79707 or Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas Ave., Midland, TX 79701.

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