Harold Lee Humphries

Harold Lee Humphries, 85, of West Monroe, passed from this life into life eternal on June 6th surrounded by his family. He was born March 4, 1931 to the Charles and Ova Humphries, in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and the oldest of five children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of fifty nine years, Regina Dozier Humphries, and a brother, Charles Thomas Humphries. Harold is survived by his brother Jerry E (Butch) Humphries, and two sisters, Jean Thompson (Robert), and Mary Jane Peoples (Paul), and by his five children: Reginald Humphries, Richard (Jan) Humphries, Susan (Jimmy) Leonard, Judith (Tracy) Pendergrass, and Marilyn (Gerard) Schoen. Mr. Humphries is also survived by seven grandchildren, Betsy Humphries Smith (Patrick), Mary Alaine Humphries, Janey Linn Humphries, Lamar Humphries Dowling (Courtney), Dustin Pendergrass, Savannah Pendergrass, and Taylor Schoen, and by five great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Alex, Amelia, and Andrew Smith, and Baxter Bragg.Harold graduated from Huttig High School in Huttig, AR, then received his degree in forestry from Arkansas A&M in Monticello, AR. He married Regina on November 26, 1952.Together they built a life and raised a family, making lasting memories along the way. He was a 2nd Lieutenant with the Arkansas National Guard, member of both the Louisiana and Arkansas Forestry Associations, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, and the West Monroe Chamber of Commerce. Harold and Regina were faithful in their service to the Lord and their home church, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Monroe.Harold worked in the forestry industry from 1952 until his retirement in 1996. He began as a block forester with Brown Paper Company in Huttig. As company ownership of his employer changed over the years Harold worked for Olinkraft then with Manville Forest Products until his retirement at Riverwood International in1996. He was a devoted employee and leader in the company and received numerous awards for his service to both the company and the timber industry, including serving as president of both the Louisiana and Arkansas Forestry Associations.Especially in retirement Harold, along with Regina, enjoyed searching out antiques and collected a variety of items that held sentimental value for them. Of greatest value, however, was his faith in Jesus Christ. Harold could be found at home in his later years reading his daily devotional and his Bible all the while longing to be rejoined with his wife in heaven whom he deeply missed and greatly loved.The family would like to thank the wonderful staffs at Savannah Cottage and Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care for their outstanding care and compassion for dad. Visitation will be held at Mulhearn Funeral Home, 300 McMillan Rd., West Monroe from 1:30-3:00 PM, Friday June 10th. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 PM on Friday at Kilpatrick Serenity Gardens, 8729 Cypress St., West Monroe. Rev. Ricky Baker will conduct the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, 901 S Vienna St., Ruston, LA 71270, or a charity of the donor’s choice.