Leland H. Harlan, Jr.

Leland Hunt Harlan, Jr., of Jonesboro, died Sunday, December 31, 2017, at his home, faithfully attended in the last years of his life by his only remaining son, Leland Hunt Harlan, III, with whom he shared his home and life. He was born on October 7, 1927, in Jefferson City, MO to Leland Hunt Harlan, Sr. and Mildred Harlan (Rhodes).

Growing up in the St. Louis and Chicago areas, he began his work life at any early age, selling newspapers on the street corners, as a journeyman butcher, and as a member of swing orchestras. After WWII and dutifully serving in the US Navy, he graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and began his life as a Director of Personnel and Labor Relations for the Pillsbury Company, Daybrite Lighting and Frolic Footwear.

He met Eileen Jeffers, the one-and-only love of his life in Hawaii and they married in January of 1949. She predeceased him 25 years ago and mourned her loss until the day of his death. They had 3 children: Leland H. Harlan III, Bruce Oliver Harlan (deceased in 2011) and Janice Harlan Massey. Leland always acknowledged his daughter-in-law, Jeanne Harlan and his son-in-law, Dean Massey as his other daughter and son. He was the devoted father figure to his younger brother, Ronald Harlan of Atlanta, Georgia, and Janet Garlett of Norman, Oklahoma, both of which survive him.

Leland's other greatest legacies and joys of his life are his 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren: Katy and Wes Wagner of Manila, Kyle Dean Massey and Taylor Frey of New York City, Kimberly and Kyle Patrick Huelsing of St. Charles, Missouri, Kirby and Chance Smith of Jonesboro, Katie Eileen and Jacob Fisher of Springdale, Lee Harlan IV of Jonesboro, Garrett and April Harlan of Tonitown, Doug Harlan of Fort Smith, Kelsey Harlan of Norman, Oklahoma, and Bruce Harlan, Jr. of Kansas City, Kansas. His great-grands are: Peter, Ava, Samuel and Juliet Huelsing, Scarlett and Warren Wagner, Koen and Shepard Smith, Kingston Harlan, Kennedy Harlan and Ellis and Margot Fisher. Leland is also survived by a large number of nieces and nephews whom he loved as his own.

Although his professional and business career was full of accolades and accomplishments, his greatest attributes were in his enormous ability to love by example, by kind words, by acceptance, faithfulness and extreme loyalty to his family. He was a devoted member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and served his church in many capacities during the years. His "second family" was the Vietnamese community that he and his wife helped bring to the Jonesboro area in 1975, working through Catholic Charities. Leland and Eileen became life-long mentors, friends and parent-figures to over 80 refugees of that era. He remained devoted to them to his death.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Friday at Emerson Funeral Home. A Rosary service will begin at 6:00 p.m. The mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6th at the Catholic Newman Center near ASU. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Leland's 5 grandsons and Luong Tran will serve as active pallbearers and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Council #1702 will be honorary pallbearers and honor guards.

For lasting memorials please consider Blessed Sacrament School, 1105 E. Highland, Jonesboro, AR 72401, or Catholic Charities of Arkansas, 2500 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207.