Mr. Richard William Harkness, 63, of Wake Forest, NC passed from earthly to Eternal Life, Thursday, September 15, 2022, at his home with his loving wife Nancy, his beloved daughter Amelia and his adored grandchildren at his side.
Richard was born September 17, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio to Richard Arthur Harkness and the late Jeanette Hollar Harkness.
As a son of a career Marine, Richard attended many schools, graduating from Granite Falls High School, CCC&TI, Western Piedmont CC and NC State with a degree in Computer Science. He enjoyed a career with the USPS as a Computer Disaster Recovery Specialist, but his main vocation was to Praise Jesus and share God’s love with everyone. His gift of never meeting a stranger allowed him to witness and share God’s redeeming love with everyone he met. He was blessed to be able to experience missions in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, a trip to Israel with his daughter Amelia and missions in areas of NC and other states.
He was an active member of his community, starting early in his life with Eagle Scout and branching to Civil Air Patrol that combined his love of flying with the needs of his neighbors in Air Search & Rescue. He also enjoyed volunteering with his Church soccer league providing devotions, mentoring young men, and was an active Deacon at Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church in Bunn, NC.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his nephews-in-law, Matthew Shoener and Timmy Brockhoff.
Survivors in addition to his father include his wife of 36 years, Nancy Brockhoff of Wake Forest; daughter, Amelia Yourison and husband Isaac of Dayton, OH; grandchildren, Joshua Newton Yourison, Peter Yourison, Matthew Yourison, Ezekiel Yourison, and Zita Yourison; his siblings, Kathy Lail and husband Duran, Pamela Pritchard, Michael Harkness and wife Ina Lee, Teresa Young and husband Bill, and Cynda Bollinger and husband Scott; in-laws, Joanne Sigmon and husband David, Mary Anne Shoener and husband Richard, and John Brockhoff and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday September 21, 2022, at Dudley Shoals Baptist Church with Pastor Martin Pinnell officiating.
Internment will follow in the Dudley Shoals Baptist Church Cemetery with Paster Scott Bollinger officiating; Isaac Yourison, Brett Hollar, Patrick Young, Riley Bollinger, Adam Young, and Richie Fox, serving as pallbearers; and Bill Paugh, Ben Smith, Robert Liverman, Allen Fraizer, Seth Taylor, Chris Herron, Jacob Sigmon, Bobby Holliman, and Izat Calloway, serving as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends after services, in the fellowship hall.
We share one of his favorite Bible verses to continue his love of witness to all: Romans 14:7-11. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to Good News In Action, PO Box 1660 Albany, LA 70711, goodnewsinaction.org , 469-768-7644. Attn: Steve Kern.
An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.mackiefh.com. Mackie Funeral Service and Cremations is assisting the family.
I’m so sorry to hear of Ritchie’s passing. I have fond memories of him as a teenager in Dudley Shoals and the fun times with Chris Hanson…..riding around and spending time at Sims’ BBQ. We grew up and life moved on. Im so glad to hear of his powerful witness of Christ and the accomplishments he had. I extend my condolences to his wife, daughter, all of his family and friends. May God keep you close in His arms.
Many thanks and God bless you!
Dear Nancy and Family: We are saddened at the passing away of Richard. He was very special and a true ambassador for Christ! We sure enjoyed and were blessed here at Robinwood Community Church for his unswerving love for Christ as he faithfully ministered to us, preaching God’s Word. His life was a living testimony of God’s grace, love, mercy and forgiveness granted to ALL who accept Christ as their Savior. We will miss him; however, we know one day we will be reunited with him around the throne of God. May God’s peace and comfort be yours today and throughout the weeks ahead. We are praying for you all.
Oh how he loved his family at Robinwood. Thank you for loving him.
Nancy, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Please be assured of our prayers.
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Anima eius et animae omnium fidelium defunctorum in pace requiescant. Amen.
With love,
Cassie McCullers and family
Deo gratias. He was laid to rest in a simple pine box made by the Trappists in Iowa. And the funeral service was beautiful, all about Jesus. Thank you Cassie.
From the Robinwood Community Church from Wendell NC so saddened to hear of Richards death. We have been blessed by Richards preaching over the years at Robinwood. What a great man of God. We are praying for the family to receive strength and peace during this time. We look forward to the day we will be joining Richard in Heaven enjoying Gods glory.
The time Richard spent at Robinwood was faithful in his love for God and y’all. Thank you for all your prayers over the years, especially for Matthew. You will be happy to hear that this little boy read loudly and clearly John 3:16 at his pawpaw’s funeral service. Amelia & I love you
Nancy,
We all remember the fun times we had gathering together & hiking with Richard and you here in the Globe. He will be missed by us all in this community. Our love to you and Amelia and your families. Come see us soon.
Thank you Sydney & Ed, God bless you.
To Richard’s family:
I count it a blessing to have known Richard the short time I did. From the first time he welcomed us as visitors to Calvary’s Cross, I knew he loved His Jesus. He exuded the love of Christ in his interactions with everyone he met. His heart for evangelism and missions was obvious. He served the Lord wholeheartedly and set a phenomenal example for the rest of us. Now He is face to face with His Lord Jesus; no more sickness, no more pain. He is in Glory!
Dear Nancy Amelia,
I was saddened to learn about your beloved spouse and father.
There can be no doubt His love for Christ and his kindness throughout life
paved a beautiful walkway into Christ’s beatific vision.
Anne Ryan
Thank you Anne – and for the Holy Mass
Dear Nancy, Amelia and all of Richard’s family,
We were honored to have Richard as part of our family and for me, a wonderful brother in law. Richard was the epitome of being a disciple of Christ, showing love and kindness to everyone he met and sharing God’s word and love to so many in his lifetime. I remember Richard taking Matthew up in an airplane and what a thrill of a lifetime that was for Matthew… So many memories. We all know Richard went through many physical trials during his time on this Earth and we know he now has a healed body without any more pain and enjoying being in the presence of Jesus every day. Praying for peace and comfort for Nancy, Amelia and all the family in remembering our beautiful memories with Richard…. And look forward to seeing Richard and all our loved ones that have gone on before us…again one day.
Love,
Richard, Mary Anne & Jenny Shoener
My heartfelt condolences to Nancy, Amelia and all of Richard’s extended family. I am so blessed to have known him.
I am so sorry for your loss, wishing you all moments of peace and comfort during this hard time.
Nancy and Amelia,
We love you and we are praying for you all. We love and miss Richard so much. He really enjoyed talking to everyone and sharing his knowledge of the bible and witnessing to others about Jesus. We will miss hearing him lead a devotion at soccer or opening up for a service, or teaching during VBS, it will not be the same without him. I am certain he is rejoicing and praising Jesus, pain free with a totally new body! I am thankful that one day we will rejoice in the fact that we will see and be with him again in God’s time.