James Junius Harkless

JAMES JUNIUS HARKLESS was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 28, 1939, and was the firstborn son of Rev. James Herrin Harkless and Mrs. Ludeel Jackson Harkless. James grew up in Marrero, Louisiana. He passed away peacefully on September 18, 2025, at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve, Louisiana.

James accepted Christ at an early age and was later baptized at Third Emanuel Baptist Church in Bridge City, Louisiana. In 1952, the Harkless family moved their church membership to Holy Hill Baptist Church where James served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was also a member of one of the first Gospel Quartets with his cousins.

James was a 1957 graduate of Lincoln High School, graduating with honors as the class salutatorian. Immediately after high school, James entered the United States Marine Corps at the tender age of 17, retiring in 1987.

After retirement from the Marines, James embarked on two additional careers. First, he joined the United States Postal Service, from which he retired. Next, he joined the Fort Bend Police Department, graduating from the police academy in 2004, with honors, at the age of 65.

James was married twice, first to Lucille Wiggins, with whom he shared two children– Michael Anthony Harkless and Sharon Elaine Harkless. Secondly, to Frances Sessions Harkless, with whom he shared two children–Aaron Ben and LaKeeta James.

In addition to serving as a deacon at Holy Hill Baptist Church in his early years, and when he returned home to Louisiana in 2019, he also served as a deacon at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, in Sugarland, Texas, Lilly Grove Baptist Church, in Houston, Texas, and lastly First Agape Baptist Church, in New Orleans.

James was preceded in death by his parents–James Herrin Harkless and Mrs. Ludeel Jackson Harkless; his son–Micheal Anthony Harkless; and his sisters–Mary Harkless Barrow and Viola Harkless Hendricks.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter–Sharon Elaine Harkless; sisters–Ludeel Catherine Harkless Weatherspoon, Martha Harkless Turner, and Clara Harkless Williams; brothers–Louis Joshua Harkless, Sr. and Raymond Joshua Harkless; his dear companion– Joycelyn Scott; bonus daughters–Trinese Wilson, Tammy Scott, Karen Scott, and Marnita Dixon; bonus sons–Michael Scott and Roland Scott; bonus granddaughters–London Davis and Mykhael Wilson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Special thanks to all the staff at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home and Gentiva Hospice.

Last words of James J. Harkless:

"I want my loved ones to know that I have done my best to try and make them happy. Although I realize that I may not have been 100% successful. I thank all of you for the joy, happiness, frowns, smiles, peace, pains and heart aches, but most of all, for your love. May God bless you all, and I look forward to seeing you all in Heaven."

Friends and family are invited to the funeral service on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at Holy Hill Baptist Church, 1409 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058.
Pastor Nathan Denis Sr. will officiate.
The Visitation will be from 8:00 AM until the time of service.
The Interment will follow at Holy Hill Baptist Cemetery, 1409 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, LA 70058.
James Junius Harkless will be presented with Military Honors.

Professional Arrangements are entrusted to Murray Henderson Funeral Home, 1209 Teche Street, New Orleans, LA 70114.