John Alford Harrel

John A. Harrel, age 99, passed from this earth to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday July 14th in Richmond, KY after a lengthy illness. John was born in the rural community of Lindsey, OK. He lived in several places, including Pauls Valley, OK, Clayton, NM, Amarillo, TX, Monroe, LA, and Blytheville, AR where he met and married Waurene “Teet” Harrel. He was married to Teet from 1962 to her death in 2015. They moved to Monroe, LA and lived in Monroe for 59 years and raised a family there. He was in college when World War II started, but chose to serve and enlisted in the US Navy, attended officer’s school at Notre Dame and Cornell Universities and served with honor on the USS Jerauld (AP-174) as a Lieutenant (JG). He was in the initial invasion of Okinawa and the Palawan invasion receiving two Battle Stars, American Area Service Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon with one star, and the World War II Victory Metal. After WWII he completed his degree from Oklahoma State University in Agribusiness. After college he worked for Travelers’ Insurance (Real Estate and Investment Division) as farm loan appraiser for almost 30 years retiring in Monroe. He was a member of the First Methodist Church in Monroe for 60 years. In the 1970-80s he was an active member of the Monroe Lions Club and helped with many of their endeavors. He was also an active member of the Republican Party and a Free Mason. Because of health issues he lived with his son Brent and his family in Richmond, Kentucky the past three and half years.
His wonderful life is apparent and lives on through his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: His daughter Debra Jane Harrel Johnson of Monroe, her sons Byron Johnson of Monroe, wife Doll Ann and sons Cameron, Caden and Caleb, Brent Johnson of Monroe, wife Jennifer and daughter Brooklyn. John’s son, John Brent Harrel from Monroe, now of Richmond, KY, wife Sherry Gresham Harrel also of Monroe now Richmond, KY and their daughters Abigail, Lydia and Amelia of Richmond, KY.
John A. was loved greatly by all who knew him. He was always a gentle, kind and sweet person who loved his family, community, country and life. He positively touched many lives over his almost 100-year lifespan and will be missed every day.
John’s funeral will be at 2:00 CST Sunday, July 17th at the Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum in Monroe, Louisiana. Covid masks are not required but encouraged by the family. Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until time of service at the mausoleum.
In leu of flowers the family asked for donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Paralyzed Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Online registry/condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Monroe, Louisiana