Howard Richard Harry

Howard Richard Harry, age 97, a longtime resident of Madison, Mississippi went to be with his heavenly father on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at his home surrounded by his daughters. Howard was born in Hattiesburg, MS on October 19, 1928 to Robert John and Clara Docia Harry. He grew up on Bailey Avenue and attended Bailey Avenue Elementary & Bailey Jr. High. He was a graduate of Central High School in Jackson, MS. His earliest job was at age 12 delivering papers to his neighbors and selling them outside the hotels on Capitol Street. He also worked at his father’s welding shop, Harry & Sons in Canton, MS, where he became an accomplished welder at a young age.

After high school, he enlisted in the United State Marine Corp during World War II and completed basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was called back to active duty during the Korean War and he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sargent.

He returned to Jackson where he met Wilma Lancaster through a mutual friend and they were married on August 2, 1952. He was a founding member of Yazoo Manufacturing Company and employed for 20 years as a Supervisor. He built those wonderful Yazoo Mowers! Later he worked as a Building Engineer/Manager at Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance where he retired after 20 years. Upon retirement, he still loved to work on projects, renovate his first home in Madison, visit with friends, neighbors and family, or just be outside sitting in the swing with his special pet dog, Rusty. Howard was gifted in any areas of carpentry, machinery or repair.

He was a lifelong member of Madison Methodist Church and was involved in many church activities, including Men’s Group, and Sunday School. He ordered and distributed all church literature to each class for many years. He also applied many of his skills to do any electrical or maintenance work needed at the church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert John & Docia Harry, his siblings, and his beloved Wilma, wife of 73 years.

He is survived by his loving daughters, Debbie Cannon (Lamar), Renee’ Middleton (Steve) and Sydney Searcy (William) his much loved grandsons,(finally after 3 daughters), Aaron, Steven Caleb (Laura Elizabeth), and Nathan, his sister-in-law, Carolyn and many nieces and nephews

He was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He loved to fish and ride his grandsons around on his riding lawn mower and enjoy time with family, especially on the holidays. He also loved his fried catfish, rice and gravy, string beans and don’t forget the banana pudding!

The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses @ Baptist Hospital, 4S

for their kindness, compassion & love shown to him. We would also like to thank everyone at Legacy Hospice for the exceptional care, love and devotion to our loved one in his final days.

Visitation for Howard will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 12:30 – 1:30 pm at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony, Ridgeland, MS 39157 followed by services in the Parkway Memorial Chapel from 1:30 – 2:30pm and burial at the Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

Donations can be made to DAV-Disabled American Veterans, P. O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or the Animal Rescue Fund of MS., Inc. (ARFMS), 395 W. Mayes Street, Jackson, MS 39213