Stephan Craig Harlan

Stephan Craig Harlan passed away peacefully at age 77 on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Steve was born in Nashville, TN on February 25, 1949 to Howard Leon Harlan Senior and Fannie Sue Stone Harlan of Columbia, TN.

Steve grew up on Franklin Road in Nashville, attended Overton High School and graduated from Peabody/Vanderbilt with a degree in business. After graduating, Steve went into the family business, Harlan Electric, and successfully grew the company into one of the largest electrical contracting companies in the Southeast. He helped shape the fabric of the Nashville community with projects such as The Bridgestone Arena, the Saturn plant, and Vanderbilt Hospital just to name a few. Steve also participated in an electrical contracting peer group which expanded his business and personal growth gaining him lifelong friendships and travel companions with whom he traveled all over the world – learning of other cultures, cuisines, and fascinating world history.

Steve met and married Linda West Harlan and they settled into their lifelong home in Williamson County overlooking the Harpeth River. Steve and Linda enjoyed tending their extensive garden, watching the wildlife, including bald eagles, albino deer, the occasional bob cat among many other animals. Over the years, they enjoyed the companionship of their beloved dachshunds Dink and Penny but mostly they enjoyed their extensive travels.

Steve sold Harlan Electric in 2012 and spent the next several years playing golf, collecting interesting cars, and experiencing adventures all over the world. Steve was a kind man, with a ready smile and always happy to extend gratitude – even up to the end, when he was ill but still gracious to all who entered his hospital room.

He is survived by his wife Linda West Harlan; siblings, Howard Harlan (Linda) and Susan Harlan, nephew Lee Harlan (Kathryn), niece Eleanor “Ellie” Suzanne Harlan, great niece, Madeline “Maddie” Eleanor Lillard (Mark), great nephew, Charles “Charlie” Matthew Harlan, nephew, Cyrus Conrad Erickson III, great niece, Abigail Mackenzie Erickson, and great nephews Houston Porter and Colton West Erickson.

In lieu of flowers the family would be grateful for any memorials to be given in Steve’s name to the Harpeth Conservancy.

A celebration of life will be held at Hillwood Country Club on Friday, October 23rd from 4-6pm.