Kenneth Harrell

HARRELL
Colonel Kenneth Harrell (USMC retired)
July 25, 1925- July 23, 2009 Kenneth was born to Hubert Harrell and Christine (Deer) Harrell in Rosebud, Texas. His family moved to the Beeville, Texas area when he was an infant and grew up with his many Deer relatives. In 1942 at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was ordered to the South Pacific. He served at Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. When the war ended he served in North China. He also served in the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. Kenneth's personal decorations include the Silver Star, Navy-Marine Corps Medal, 2 Bronze Star Medals, 4 Purple Hearts, and the Good Conduct Medal. His campaign and service medals include the Asiatic-Pacific with 3 bronze Stars, China Service, WWII Victory, Navy Occupation, Korean Service with 2 bronze stars, National Defense and the Viet Nam Service medals. His unit awards include 3 Presidential Unit Citations and 2 Navy Unit Commendations. Ken was particularly proud of his service with General Lewis B. (Chesty) Puller and his commissioning from the ranks. He retired from the Corps in July 25, 1985. In retirement, he enjoyed seeing his 1st Marine Division comrades and his Basic School classmates at reunions. Kenneth is survived by his wife Jill (McNichol) whom he married in December 2003 and his children: Linda, Bruce, Karen and Michael and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Jill's children Catherine and Hugh and his cousins Mary Jane and Keith Deer and his Chihuahua Katy.. In 2004 Kenneth realized his dream of retiring in Bandera, Texas where he greatly enjoyed being able to play golf and watching the abundant wild life by his house. He had a zest for life and enjoyed travel, especially a trip back to Peleliu for the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu where he has been baldy wounded in September 1944. A special thank you goes to the fine doctors and nurses who game him first class care at the Methodist Hospital, San Antonio, Texas before he died of heart failure on July 23, 2009. Also to Saleh Jaafar, M.D. and his staff at the Bandera Family Practice Clinic, Sridhar Beerman, M.D., Christine M. Toth, M.D., Jeffery M. Benzick, M.D., and Stephanie Jones, M.D. who helped Kenneth have a good quality of life in his final years. At his request Kenneth was cremated with no formal funeral service. There will be a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to your favorite charities. "Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest." SEMPER FIDELIS