James Lee Harlan

Mr. James 'Lee'? Harlan, 92, of 1000 Melrose Avenue, Johnson City died Sunday, March 21, 2010 in the Appalachian Christian Village. Mr. Harlan was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County, TN and a son of the late Alvin Henderson Harlan and Mary Eckle Harlan. In addition to his parents, one sister, Anne Stevens; three brothers, Ben Harlan, John 'Bun'? Harlan and Thomas 'Jack'? Harlan also preceded him in death. Mr. Harlan and his wife Jewell owned and operated Sell Produce Company for 52 years and was known to his customers as 'Mr. Sell'?. Mr. Harlan was a U.S. Army veteran serving his country during World War II. He served in the 11th Infantry Regiment that landed in Normandy and fought their way across France as part of General Pattons famed Third Army. Surviving the Battle of the Bulge, Mr. Harlan earned the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal with German Clasp, Combat Infantry Badge and the Army Lapel Button. He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church and had served as a former elder for 60 years at the Calvary Presbyterian Church. Survivors include: his loving wife of 61 years, Jewell Louise Harlan of the home; one son, James L. Harlan, II and his wife Donna of Johnson City; one daughter, Jan Harlan Gibbons and her husband Bobby Lee Gibbons of Kingsport; three grandchildren, Bobby Lee Gibbons, II and his wife Anne Childress Gibbons of Louisville, KY, Katherine Louise Hall and her husband Noah Hall of Washington, D.C., and Rebecca Leigh Harlan of Greenville, S.C.; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Harlan of Gray, TN and Pauline Cox of Johnson City; several nieces and nephews also survive. Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend and Servant, Mr. Harlan will be missed by both family and friends, including his faithful companion of many years, his Boston Terrier Buddy Lee. The funeral service for Mr. James 'Lee'? Harlan will be conducted at 11 AM Friday March 26, 2010 in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. Dr. Ron Murray and Dr. Jim Richter will officiate. The graveside committal service will follow in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be: Bobby Gibbons II, Bill Greer, Noah Hall, Jim Sell, Gene Tittle, Charlie Watkins, Tony Sifford, and Shane Sifford. Full military honors will be accorded at the graveside by the Boone Dam VFW Post # 4933 of Kingsport along with members of the Tennessee National Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Thursday at Morris-Baker. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to the Appalachian Christian Village, 2012 Sherwood Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601.