Obituary of Rayford Harkness

Rayford "Duggar" Harkness, age 86, was born January 7, 1923. He was a lifelong resident of Collinston, LA where he grew up on the family farm and graduated from Collinston High School. In 1940 he joined the Army Air Corps serving during World War II in the European Theater with the 511th Fighter Squadron. After the war he attended LSU from 1946-1947 and then worked for Montcalm Music from 1948-1950. He was a postal carrier for Collinston and Sterlington from 1950-1982 and also worked as a farmer for over 60 years in Morehouse Parish. Mr. Harkness was a member of Reily Memorial Methodist Church in Collinston, a member of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, and a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Harkness passed away Thursday, January 15, 2009 at St. Francis Medical Center. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Annie Harkness; two sons, Tim Harkness and his wife Debbie of Collinston, LA, Jim Harkness and his wife Jan of Bastrop, LA; five grandchildren, Cody Harkness, Chad Harkness, Dane Harkness, Shalene Harkness, Blake Harkness; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2009 at the chapel of Golden Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Benge officiating. Interment will follow in Carter Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5-9 p.m. at Golden Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be Cody Harkness, Dane Harkness, Brad Fife, Cecil Flowers, George Young, and Mike George. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Burns, Jack Churchwell, Chad Harkness, and Greg Sadler.