Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 1402 T Street, Bridgeport, NE with brother-in-law Dave Knutson officiating. Cremation will follow services. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 pm at Bridgeport Memorial Chapel. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.bridgeportmemorialchapel.com. Cards may be sent to the funeral home, PO Box 367 Bridgeport, NE for the family.
Royal was born in his Uncle Lloyd (Leona) Satchell’s house on February 16, 1935. He was the oldest of 8 children born to Wayne and Etha (Smith) Harless. He began his love of driving at the age of 7. After multiple arguments and his sister Norreta in tears from his accusations “She wasn’t peddling her share on the tandem bike.” Their parents gave in and let him drive the Model A to country school. Royal was quite proud he still carried a valid CDL at age 88.
Royal graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1952. He played football for Sioux Falls College. At college he got engaged on Valentine’s Day to his future bride. He finished his college career at Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO. He worked at Martin Marietta, Littleton, CO as a draftsman, mechanical engineer. He helped design the first Titan Missile.
Royal married the love of his life, Shirley Glenn of North Platte on September 10, 1955. They were so blessed to have 6 children. Royal enjoyed raising their family on the beautiful family farm. Royal considered a gift from God that he enjoyed working hard. He farmed, ranched and had a trucking and heavy equipment business.
Dearly missing him and left to mourn are his wife Shirley, daughter Melinda Harless, son Todd (Carrie) all of Bridgeport, NE, son Jade (Rusty) of Columbus, NE, daughter Megan (Paul) Williams of Scottsdale, AZ; grandchildren: Casey (Nichole) Harless, Candace (Joe) Panas, Myke (Alison) Hunter, Bry (Lacey) Hunter, Liz Hunter and Kyle (Alissa) Harless, great10 great grandchildren, sister Nancy (Carl) Brown, brother Daryl (Pat) Harless, sister Debbie (Dave) Knutson, sisters-in-law Patricia Harless, Kitty Harless and Linda Harless and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents, infant son little Royal, son Luke, sister Norreta, brother Glenn, Willard and Lloyd.
He was an avid Husker and Bronco fan and enjoyed talking football. But most important decision he ever made that made him the happiest was accepting the Lord Jesus as his Savior. John 3:16
