Howard Earl Harless, age 83, of Tuscaloosa, died Jan. 2, 2011, at Ben Russell Medical Center in Alexander City. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Donald Springer officiating. Burial will follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, T. Forrest and Frances Springer Harless, and his grandparents, John H. and Mamie Harless and J.P. and Hassie Springer.
Survivors include his son, David A. Harless of Tuscaloosa; his brothers, T. Edward Harless of Elrod, Charles P. Harless of Tuscaloosa, and Harry Harless of Northport; and his grandchildren, Wesley Harless and Suzanne Harless.
Mr. Harless graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and worked for over 41 years at BF Goodrich in Tuscaloosa. He was affectionately known as “Big Daddy” to many.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Bosch, Blake Bosch, Jeff Harless, Michael Harless, Ricky Patrick, and Johnny Hill.
Honorary pallbearers are Bill Nichols Veterans Home 3rd Floor nurses, Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Rick Humpheries, and friends of the Elrod community.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama or one’s favorite charity.