Jerry Bell Harwood, 86, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, left this earth on Thursday, January 26, 2023, to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jerry was born December 6, 1936, in Fort Smith, to Jess B. and Thena L. (Stem) Harwood.
Retired Chief Master Sergeant Harwood became a member of the 188th Air National Guard Unit in Fort Smith in 1956 and became a fulltime air technician in 1959. He served with the 188th Air Guard Unit in Fort Smith until transferring to the 168th Air Guard Unit in Alaska. He retired in 1995. Jerry graduated from Van Buren High School, and he attended the Arkansas Polytechnical College (Arkansas Tech). In 1959, he married Carol L. Hancock of Fort Smith. In addition to his full-time service in the Air Guard, Jerry held several part-time jobs to support his family. He repaired television sets in his garage for Flash TV Sales and Service, Citizen’s Band Radios, Amateur Radios, stereos, and telephones. There was always someone stopping by his garage to bring in something that needed repair and others who would stop by just to visit. He was an engineer for KHWN, KFDF, and KFSA radio stations. After receiving his electronics degree from Westark Junior College (UA Fort Smith), he taught electronics classes for the vocational technical night school division. Jerry was an amateur radio operator, (formerly WA5MWI & W5MWI). He was a past member and a past President of the Fort Smith Amateur Radio Club.
Jerry taught Sunday School at the former Windsor Park Baptist Church in Fort Smith, where he was ordained as Deacon. He was also a member of First Baptist Church in North Pole, Alaska. Upon returning to Fort Smith, he attended First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, where he enjoyed attending the Thursday luncheons. He also attended Calvary Baptist Church of Fort Smith.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Eunice Woodward. He’s survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol; brothers: Jess Harwood (Olene), Bill Harwood (Robbie) and sister: Mary Welch (Bill); five sons: Brian Harwood (Candy), Greg Harwood (Nancy), David Harwood (Cindy), Blake Harwood, and Derek Harwood (Holly); grandchildren: Luke Harwood (Dazey), Emily Holwick (Bryce), Jesse Harwood (Rachel), Haley Harwood, Natalie Hill (Marshall), Sarah Toland (Adam), Joseph Harwood, Michael Paul Harwood, Gabe Harwood, Heath Harwood, Haden Harwood, Victoria Harwood, Tyler Harwood, Rayleigh Harwood, Nick and Josh Nieman; great-grandchildren: Allison Harwood, Jackson Holwick, and Aubree Harwood.
Visitation will be 11:00 AM Friday, February 3, at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith with the memorial service to follow at 12:00 PM with Brother Dale Thompson and Lt Col. Herbert Hodde, Wing Chaplain, Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Wing, officiating. Burial will be at the National Cemetery in Fort Smith, immediately following the service at 1:00 PM.
Memorials can be made to Camp Siloam, 3600 S. Lincoln Street, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.
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