| Notes |
- Roderick Mansfield "Rod" Harless
Birth: Feb. 13, 1939
Hanover
Wyoming County
West Virginia, USA
Death: Sep. 26, 2014
Charleston
Kanawha County
West Virginia, USA
Roderick Mansfield Harless, 75, of South Charleston, died on September 26, 2014 after a brief illness.
He was born in Wyoming County, West Virginia, on February 13, 1939, the son of James Isaac Harless and Ann Elizabeth Baker.
Rod was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Joan Lee (nee Kidd) Harless; a son, John Jeffrey Harless; three brothers, Larry Livingston Harless, Rocky Skeen, Charles Harless; and a sister, Suella (nee Harless) Eden.
The surviving family members are a son, David Harless from Charleston, West Virginia; daughters, Robin (nee Harless) Clark of Elsmere, Kentucky, and Holly (nee Harless) Foshag of Los Angeles, California. Surviving siblings of Evans, West Virginia, are sisters, Barbara (nee Skeen) Upton, Rebecca (nee Skeen) Cornett, and a brother, Benjamin Skeen. In the Columbus, Ohio, area his surviving relatives are a sister, Nitah (nee Harless) Clay, a brother, James Harless, a brother, Marion Harless, a sister, Louetta (nee Harless) Chase, and a sister, Catharine (nee Harless) Hill. Rod is survived by 12 grandchildren.
In 1957, Rod Harless graduated from Ripley High School. He was the senior class valedictorian. He served as a co-captain of the high school football team during his senior year. Rod married Joan Lee (nee Kidd) Harless in 1957. She was his high school sweetheart and lifelong partner. Graduating with the honor of magna cum laude from West Virginia State College in 1961, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Mr. Harless taught at Antioch College in Beckley, West Virginia. Roderick Harless was also a published author with at least two book still available on used & rare book websites including "The West Virginia Establishment" and "The Hillbillies A Book For Children". He obtained a Masters of Legal Studies through West Virginia University at the age of 67.
During the 1960s Mr. Harless worked for the department of the United States Navy as a budget analyst at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. He later returned to reside in West Virginia and provided many years of public service in his community. For many years Rod Harless served as executive director of the Dunbar Housing Authority.
Rod had many keen interests during his life, including history, government, politics, genealogy, football and basketball. He was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. A very intelligent, articulate, and witty man, he was described as an "eloquent speaker."
His philosophy of lifelong learning can be summarized by a favorite quote of his by Sir Edmund Hillary. When asked, "Why did you want to climb Mount Everest," the explorer replied, "Because it is there."
Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, West Virginia. Reverend Benjamin Skeen will officiate. Family and friends may pay their respects from noon until 2 p.m.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.
Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston was entrusted with the arrangements.
Family links:
Parents:
James I. Harless (1911 - 1985)
Ann Elizabeth Baker Skeen (1919 - 2008)
Spouse:
Joan Lee Kidd Harless (1940 - 2012)
Children:
John Jeffery Harless (1966 - 2010)*
Siblings:
Roderick Mansfield Harless (1939 - 2014)
Larry Livingston Harless (1941 - 2004)**
Rocky Lee Skeen (1947 - 1973)**
Charles Gordon Harless (1950 - 1998)**
*Calculated relationship
**Half-sibling
Burial:
Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend.
Created by: Roger Hicks
Record added: Feb 15, 2016
Find A Grave Memorial# 158201120
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West Virginia Pioneers
1939 - 2014 (75 years)
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