Jack Carlton Harrelson

Jack Carlton Harrelson, Sr. went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, April 2, 2017 at a local Hospital. The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 5, 2017 in J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. where a Masonic Service will be held. His Funeral Service will be held Thursday April 6, 2017 in Ashley River Baptist Church 1101 Savannah Hwy. at 11:00 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow in Live Oak Memorial Gardens.

Jack was born on June 28, 1929 in Raleigh, NC to the late William Asbury and Minta Ward Harrelson, Sr. He was raised in Loris, SC before moving to Charleston, SC and graduating from North Charleston High School and attending Bob Jones University. It was in Charleston that he met the love of his life, Anne Geraldine Ott. They were married on November 6, 1954 and spent 62 beautiful years together celebrating their love and raising their family.Jack was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend, and a faithful man of God. He will be missed but Heaven gained an angel - a true servant of God.And, Jack loved the United States of America. He fought for his country serving in the Korean War from 1950-1952 as a Sergeant First Class in the 24/25th Infantry Division 5th Regiment 1st Battalion and earned many honors such as the Korean Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the United Nations Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, an Army Commendation Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal. One of his proudest moments was being accompanied by his son on the Charleston Honor Flight to Washington, DC in September 2014 with other war veterans.

Jack's working career started as an associate with JC Penney and as manager of Chamberlain's Men's Store. He then worked for a time with the US Postal service and went on to be Head of Analysis and Programing at the Charleston Naval Shipyard from which he retired after 33 years of service in 1993. He was always dedicated to his job and no more so than in the days after Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989, Jack went into work to get the payroll together and had it flown to Norfolk so that all Shipyard employees would be paid on time.He always had time and/or made time for others and this is evident by his membership and involvement in the Springfield Farms Civic Club, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) serving as Treasurer, The Mended Hearts, Inc. Chapter #266 serving as Chapter President and Assistant Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region of The Mended Hearts, Inc. national organization. He was a member of The American Legion of South Carolina Post No. 0172 , St. Andrews Masonic Lodge No. 367, A. F. M., the 5th R.C.T. Association, The Korean War Veterans Association, and the Huguenot Society of South Carolina.While he wore many hats, he also served the Lord in many capacities as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and usher at Citadel Square Baptist Church, Pinecrest Baptist Church, James Island Baptist Church, North Bridge Baptist Church, Ashley River Baptist Church, and North Charleston First Baptist Church, and supporting his wife, Gerry, while she served as church organist.

Once Jack retired from the Naval Shipyard, he and Gerry got to travel with their many great friends to so many interesting places including Hawaii, Alaska, and our nation's Midwest visiting the Grand Canyon, many national parks, the Hoover Dam, Four Corners, and enjoying the sights of Las Vegas. They really treasured their annual trips to Vogel State Park in Georgia with The Wayfarers Camping Club each October to enjoy the beauty of the fall leaves and the fall festivals in the northern Georgia mountains. They also attended many Mended Hearts national conventions across the United States and Canada. Even though they flew or drove to most of these places, they could have easily taken the train because Jack loved trains his whole life. He even knew most of the schedules for the trains and where they were going as well as the stops between destinations north and south.

But among his greatest pleasures was having his family around him. He loved them all very much and was so proud of all his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren - he and Gerry seldom, if ever, missed a performance, game, or graduation. Together he and Gerry raised, and he is survived by 3 children: Sheryl (Chad) Hartwell of Charleston, SC; Jack C. (Leslie) Harrelson, Jr. of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Rebecca (Richard) Coulter of Columbia, SC. There are 5 grandchildren: Randy (Marie) Hartwell of Charleston, SC; Jennifer Lewis (Jason Sommers) of Kathleen, GA; Maggie (James) Dangerfield of Mt. Pleasant, SC; David Coulter and Macey Coulter of Columbia, SC. Plus 3 great-grandchildren: Riley Hartwell and Jackson Hartwell of Charleston, SC; and Tessler Hoffman of Kathleen, GA. He is also survived by his brother Eldred Frank (Sandy) Harrelson of Auburn, AL and his nieces Frances (Craig) Dombrosky of Berlin, NJ; Elizabeth Harrelson of Auburn, AL; Amy Harrelson (Saul Cathelin) of Paris, France, and his great-nephew, Melvin Daniel Frank Cathelin of Paris, France.

He was predeceased by his father and mother William Asbury and Minta Ward Harrelson, Sr.; his brothers, William Asbury Harrelson, Jr. and Robert Reid Harrelson, and his sister, Frances Harrelson Walker.We will miss Dad/Grandpa/Papa, his stories, and his love for us, but we know he will keep watch over us from Heaven until we meet again. He has gone from his earthly home but was greeted by a loving God who wrapped His arms around him, welcoming him to his eternal home with Well done, good and faithful servant.

The family would like to thank Roper/St. Francis Home Health, the doctors and nurses on 7th floor of Roper Hospital, and all staff of Roper Rehab for their care and support.

Flowers will be accepted but donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society in his honor.