Jones Franklin (Jack) Harbarger, 88, passed away at home on Friday, July 4, 2014 surrounded by family. Born in Bessemer, Alabama, on April 25, 1926, he graduated from McAdory High School. The week after graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater of World War II as Quartermaster, second class on the LST 588. His ship was a participant in the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and he was an eyewitness to the original American flag raising on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima.
After being Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1946, he attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, on the GI Bill where he enrolled in the Engineering School of Industrial Management. At Auburn, Jack was a member of the Air Force Advanced Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC), Scabbard and Blade, named Distinguished Military Student and Cadet Major, and received a commission of 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF Reserves. He was also tapped into Phi Kappa Phi Honorary and was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. He graduated from Auburn University at the top of his class in 1950.
In 1952, Jack was employed in the Safety Engineering Office of Thiokol Corporation in Huntsville, Alabama and advanced to become a Certified Manager of Safety and Security in the Apollo Program, which helped build the solid rocket propellants to put man on the moon. In 1970, he joined Merrill Lynch as a stock broker where he finished his career in 1990, retiring as Senior Account Executive and Vice President.
Jack was a member of First Baptist Church Huntsville. While his children were growing up, he was actively involved in the Boys Scouts, serving as Packmaster, Den 4, Pack 7, Little League sports, and middle and high school sports. He was also a member of the Huntsville Rotary Club, serving as Rotary Director and Rotary Fellow. His hobbies were woodworking, repair and maintenance of the family home from his six children, and moving shrubs from place to place as directed by his landscape architect wife.
Jack’s dearest loves were his wife and his children. He was a very involved husband and father, including all the family in building a home, beautiful yard and garden. He truly loved people and nature and had a special talent for making others feel special. His coworkers always held a special place in his heart as did all his friends. His outgoing and friendly personality ensured he never met a stranger.
He was preceeded in death by his father and mother, Joseph Wheeler and Irene Boswell Harbarger, brother Joseph Wheeler Harbarger, Jr. and sister Peggy Harbarger Barnes.
Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Harvilee Phillips Harbarger, who he met on a blind date at Auburn. Their children are Claude W. Harbarger (Karis) of Jackson, MS; Tim Harbarger (Carrie) of Destin, FL; Mark Harbarger; Frank Harbarger; Julie Harbarger Stephens (Harold) and David E. Harbarger (Amy) of Huntsville, Alabama. Grandchildren are Dr. Claude F. Harbarger (Rachel), Dr. David A. Harbarger (Emily), Laura Harbarger Richardson (Dr. Breck); Phillips, Sara Kate and Connally Harbarger; Jordan, Caroline, and Harper Stephens; and Jackson, Sam, and David W. Harbarger. Great grandchildren are Lois Harbarger, Ellie Harbarger, Jack and Eli Richardson. Surviving siblings are Mary Kate Harbarger Stewart of Helena, AL and Nancy Harbarger Hicks of Southside, Alabama.
Jack was especially proud to be an Auburn Tiger and passed that love on to his six children. His adopted hometown of Huntsville, Alabama (since 1951) held a dear place in his heart. He proclaimed Huntsville as the most wonderful city in the whole state of Alabama!
The service to celebrate Jack’s life will be at First Baptist Church Sanctuary on Tuesday, July 8 with visitation from 12 pm to 2 pm, followed by services at 2 pm and graveside service at Maple Hill Cemetery, officiated by Dr. David Hull.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805 or First Baptist Church Huntsville, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.
