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.