Paul M. Harrett

Paul M. Harrett, 83, of 6816 Judy Ave., Quincy, died at 4:58 a.m. Sunday (June 12, 2011), in Blessing Hospital.

Paul was born Sept. 19, 1927, in Alexander, Mo., a son of David and Potheny Ellen Saltz Harrett. On Aug. 29, 1953, he married Pauline Tournear in Quincy. She survives.

Paul served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1945 until 1949. He then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. He received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and a Presidential Citation.

Paul was a dedicated family man, a loving husband and father. He enjoyed drawing, writing and composing music. He had a song titled "John Glenn" recorded and produced by RCA Records. He was also an amateur inventor and an all around handy man.

Survivors in addition to his wife include four children, Shirley (George) Bell of Mounds, Danny K. Harrett of Quincy, Vickie (Marcelo) Villa of Louisiana, Mo., and Ricky (Lori) Harrett of Las Vegas; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jerome Harrett; a half sister, Frances Shepherd; two great-grandchildren; a niece; and two nephews.

SERVICES: 12:15 p.m. Friday prayers at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian burial at 1 p.m. in St. Anthony Catholic Church, with the Rev. Thomas Hagstrom officiating. Burial will be in Quincy Memorial Park with military rites by American Legion Post 37.

VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

MEMORIALS: American Cancer Society or Blessing Foundation for Hospice.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: www.hansenspear.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.