Howard K. Harrell

Surf City

Mr. Howard Kenneth Harrell, 93, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022 at The Gardens of Rose Hill.

Funeral Services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church of Clinton on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 3:00 pm with Rev. Francis Daniel officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 2:00 pm, at the church.

Born on February 25, 1929 in Mount Olive, Howard was the son of the late Robert Henry and Maudie Best Harrell. He moved to Clinton to help his father run Harrell Motor Company and spent most of his life selling cars, an occupation he loved.  Howard proudly served in the U.S. Army in Korea (1951-1952) where he attained the rank of Sergeant First Class and was awarded numerous medals including the Bronze Star for service.  He loved all things “social” - from his breakfast clubs at Fussell’s in Clinton and at Hardee’s in Surf City, to cooking a pig for family and friends.  The beach was his “go-to” place to relax, boat, fish and just enjoy the view.  He always said that his whole attitude changed when he crossed the bridge into Topsail. Having lost his mother in his teens, and his father in his twenties, Howard was blessed with a long life, and was a great and supportive father to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  To know him was to love him, and he will be greatly missed.

Howard leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Irene Sasser Harrell; daughters: Deborah L. Harrell of Winston-Salem, Myra Susan Harrell of Ocean Island Beach; sons: Michael Harrell and wife, Stacy of Raleigh, Dr. Ken Harrell and wife, Virginia of Ocean Isle Beach; sister, Brenda H. Tilton and husband, John of Wilson; brother, Robert L. Harrell and wife, Lynette of Winston Salem; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by a sister, Quita H. Gordon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Howard to Grace United Methodist Church, 800 Smith Street, Clinton, NC.  Howard was a long-time member of Grace United Methodist Church and whose father, Robert Henry Harrell was one of the original founding members.

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Harrell family.

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