Russell
Russell A. Harley
d. October 8, 2014
BEAUFORT - Russell A. Harley, age 81, husband of Catherine ("Kitty") Ward Cahill Harley passed away peacefully with family at his side at Beaufort Memorial Hospital due to complications of heart disease.
Born in Beaufort SC, he was the son of the late Heber Barnwell Harley and late Myrtie Rahn Harley.
After graduating from Beaufort High School (1950) and the Citadel (1954), he entered the U.S. Air Force where he served until 1958. His final Air Force assignment was as Chief of Military Training, USAF Pre-Flight Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio TX. He continued serving in The Reserves, and retired from active duty as a Captain. After graduate work at the University of SC School of Education, he returned to Beaufort where he taught 5th grade for a short time in the Beaufort County School system. In 1958 he joined Kinghorn Insurance Agency, (est. 1898) where he became a partner and worked until his retirement in 2000.
Russell attended First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort for 79 years, serving as Elder, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and long time choir member. He was a life member of the Association of Citadel Men and the Beaufort Citadel Club. He served as a class agent from 1984-89 and attended every home football game for over 30 years. His allegiance to his alma mater was evident in his love of all things blue. Russell was instrumental in organizing the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, serving as a Commodore, and on its Board of Directors. He was an active sailor, twice winning the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association (SAYRA) Sunfish Championship. A 31-year member of the Beaufort Lions Club, he served as President, and received an award from the South Carolina Lions for securing over 1,000 eye donors.
As an Eagle Scout, he was Scoutmaster of Troop 211, served on the Board of Directors for South Carolina Federal Bank, was a charter member of the Jean Ribaut Society, and was a member of the Dataw Island Club and the Cat Island Club. He loved golf, tennis, sailing, fishing, gigging, and was an expert prankster. In the words of his son Russell, " Heaven will be seeing a surge in pranks in the immediate future."
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, two daughters, Sandra Harley Counts (Scott) of Anderson SC, and Elizabeth Harley Willett (Christopher) of Atlanta GA and his son Russell A. Harley Jr., of Beaufort SC; 6 grandchildren, William Weston Counts, Kimberly Claire Counts, Hellen Lloyd Willett, Catherine Cahill Willett, Hunter Leigh Harley and Griffin Shelby Harley; and his niece, Anna Harley Rawls Aycock (Robert) of Brentwood TN.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Mary Jane Harley Rawls.
A memorial service will be held Sunday October 26, at three o'clock at the First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort. The family will receive visitors in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. A private burial will be held at the family plot, St. Helena's Episcopal Church cemetery, Beaufort.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, P.O. Box 1226, Beaufort SC 29901, to The Citadel Development Foundation, 171 Moultrie St, Charleston, SC 29409 ( http://foundation.citadel.edu ), or to a charity of choice.
Born in Beaufort SC, he was the son of the late Heber Barnwell Harley and late Myrtie Rahn Harley.
After graduating from Beaufort High School (1950) and the Citadel (1954), he entered the U.S. Air Force where he served until 1958. His final Air Force assignment was as Chief of Military Training, USAF Pre-Flight Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio TX. He continued serving in The Reserves, and retired from active duty as a Captain. After graduate work at the University of SC School of Education, he returned to Beaufort where he taught 5th grade for a short time in the Beaufort County School system. In 1958 he joined Kinghorn Insurance Agency, (est. 1898) where he became a partner and worked until his retirement in 2000.
Russell attended First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort for 79 years, serving as Elder, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and long time choir member. He was a life member of the Association of Citadel Men and the Beaufort Citadel Club. He served as a class agent from 1984-89 and attended every home football game for over 30 years. His allegiance to his alma mater was evident in his love of all things blue. Russell was instrumental in organizing the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, serving as a Commodore, and on its Board of Directors. He was an active sailor, twice winning the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association (SAYRA) Sunfish Championship. A 31-year member of the Beaufort Lions Club, he served as President, and received an award from the South Carolina Lions for securing over 1,000 eye donors.
As an Eagle Scout, he was Scoutmaster of Troop 211, served on the Board of Directors for South Carolina Federal Bank, was a charter member of the Jean Ribaut Society, and was a member of the Dataw Island Club and the Cat Island Club. He loved golf, tennis, sailing, fishing, gigging, and was an expert prankster. In the words of his son Russell, " Heaven will be seeing a surge in pranks in the immediate future."
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, two daughters, Sandra Harley Counts (Scott) of Anderson SC, and Elizabeth Harley Willett (Christopher) of Atlanta GA and his son Russell A. Harley Jr., of Beaufort SC; 6 grandchildren, William Weston Counts, Kimberly Claire Counts, Hellen Lloyd Willett, Catherine Cahill Willett, Hunter Leigh Harley and Griffin Shelby Harley; and his niece, Anna Harley Rawls Aycock (Robert) of Brentwood TN.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Mary Jane Harley Rawls.
A memorial service will be held Sunday October 26, at three o'clock at the First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort. The family will receive visitors in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. A private burial will be held at the family plot, St. Helena's Episcopal Church cemetery, Beaufort.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, P.O. Box 1226, Beaufort SC 29901, to The Citadel Development Foundation, 171 Moultrie St, Charleston, SC 29409 ( http://foundation.citadel.edu ), or to a charity of choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Russell A. Harley, please visit our flower store.
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