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Ottie Harrelson Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Ottie Harrelson
Melissa Tillotson
May 22, 2009
To my mom and my brother,
What an experience this has been remembering dad and observing his legacy. It has been one month! I miss him every day and I love reading all of the wonderful things people have to say about him. His love surrounds me and I hope it does for you as well.
Doreen (Brown) Oyadomari
May 6, 2009
Jackie,
My thoughts and prayers have been with you on hearing of the tragic loss of Steve. My deepest sympathy is extended to you and your family. I am so very sorry.
Joan Harrelson
May 1, 2009
Jackie and Family,
My deepest sympathy for you of your loss of your husband, father, grandfather. Please be comforted by the fact you will see him again and he will be watching over you until then.
Doug Mable
April 25, 2009
Jackie and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Steve's death. I know he would give his all to help someone as he did when in High School. I knew him from Colonial and fished a few times after. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
Marybeth (Bass) Harvey
April 23, 2009
My prayers are with your family as you remember Steve.
I lived across the street from Steve and Donnie when they were at Colonial. I was in elementary school at the time and had a type of hero worship of them both. I have not heard about them since they moved away. I am please to hear that the teenager I admired became a wonderful husband, father and friend. I know he will be missed!
Patricia Jividen
April 23, 2009
Jackie, Corey, and Melissa--I was so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. I heard through a classmate, Ken Winters, and I have notified all those that I keep in contact with. It is such a tradgedy to lose a loved one so young but he truly was a hero. Please accept my heart felt sympathy. Pat Jackson but I now go by Trish Jividen
Patsy White
April 23, 2009
Jackie, Corey, and Melissa,
"Thinking of you as you'll celebrate Steve's life today, by giving thanks to God for having had this wonderful person to share in all of your lives."
"In the rising of the sun and in it's going down....In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter....In the crystal lakes and in the rebirth of spring....In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer....In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn....In the beginning of each year and when it ends....When you are weary and in need of strength....When you are lost and sick in heart....When you have joys you yearn to share.... Always remember, No one that is ever loved is lost....No one who has touched a life, and who has brought such beauty to our world, is ever truly gone."
"Yes, we will always remember Steve. He filled our lives with joy and unconditional love. So, for as long as we live, Steve, too shall live, for he is a part of all who have known and loved him."
So many, many lives are richer today for having known him. It is with love and deep sadness, and so much heartfelt pride, that I pray God will always bless and keep each of you, until you are all together again.
The Duggans
April 23, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this most tragic time. Take care of yourself and we hope to see you soon.
Ben Dunn
April 22, 2009
My heart goes out to the Harrelson family for their loss. I grew up with Melissa in Lake Mary and knew Mr. Harrelson pretty well (talks at the house or fishing). He was a wonderful husband and father and he had that unique ability to leave a life long impression on people. I only hope I can be as good as a man as Mr. Harrelson was. Melissa and family you are in my prayers.
The Quincy Family
April 22, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult of times. We will miss Steve and his kind ways. May God bless you all.
Lottie Miller
April 22, 2009
Many thoughts and prayers are with the Harrelson family through this tragic time. May you find comfort in knowing that others care and that God is surely with you in your time of sorrow. You will continue to be in my prayers.
Cari Lamb
April 22, 2009
Our hearts and prayers are with you all. We are so sorry for your loss. Melissa, your dad sounds like a wonderful man. Praying for God to be with you all during this time.
Alicia Edwards
April 22, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss and know that you will miss your husband and father dearly. I didn't know him personally, but see from the articles that he was someone that was admired greatly. May God be with you and your family during this difficult time.
Marti (Hinds)Voss
April 21, 2009
My heart goes out to you, Jackie and family. Although I haven't seen Steve since high school, I still feel the loss of a friend and classmate. From reading all of the heartfelt entries in this guest book, I can tell that his life became one of caring and and sharing. I know he will be missed. God be with you during this difficult time.
Calvin & Bonnie Norris
April 21, 2009
Donnie and the rest of the Harrelson Family, We want you to know that even though we did not know Steve you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We would like to be there with you but that is not possible so we send our prayers from afar. Be assured that Steve will spend eternity watching over each and every one of you while continuing to guide and direct you from the heavens around you. Steve now is one of the "Angels" that are always amoung us and we thank God for those angels. He is doing his good works in God's garden now.
Dinah Thweatt
April 21, 2009
Please accept my condolences. Quite a few of us from Colonial High School are getting the sad news today. My name in school was Oakes.
Nina Entrekin
April 21, 2009
I was so sorry to learn of Steve's passing and my heart goes out to Jackie and the family. Jackie and Steve were a couple at Colonial High and went on to have 42 years together - a true blessing in today's world. You are in my prayers.
Myra Kohler
April 21, 2009
Dear Jackie,
I remember you and Steve from our years at Colonial High School.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
Sincerely,
Myra Combs Kohler
Donna Cohl
April 21, 2009
Jackie, Melissa and Corey,
My deepest sympathy for you of your loss of your husband and father. Steve was my son Pete Hoogland's football coach in Pop Warner and at Winter Springs H.S. Pete was always one of the smallest on the team and Steve took him underneath his wing and gave him confidence he needed to be good enough to be a starter. Steve would take Pete on fishing trips on the weekend because Pete loved fishing just like Steve. They would go out and spend all day. Thats the kind of a wonderful person he was and I will never forget it. Steve was a wonderful mentor for Pete. I believe he had a hand in making my son become the person he is today. A good Christian boy and a firefighter in N.C. I remember Steve always smiling. He was always talking about Melissa and Corey. How proud he was of his children. I don't think we ever had a conversation without him bringing them up. His face would just beam. Jackie God Bless you. It's not the end but the just the beginning for Steve. Keep comfort knowing that you will see him one day and he will be watching over you until then.
Laurie Cox
April 21, 2009
Steve was such a wonderful and Godly man. I only had the privilage of knowing him for a few hours, but in that short time I learned what a wonderful man he was. He spoke of his wonderful family and how he loved helping people and especially children. Even though I only knew him a few hours, my life has been forever changed for the better and I will never forget that wonderful man. Every time I get the privilage of being on the water I will always see his blue eyes and hear his joyful voice saying how he loves to pull others into his world. I know that he is fishing with the best fisher of all and they will catch the biggest fish ever. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I am deeply sorry for your loss. Steve will truly be missed.
Karen Smith
April 21, 2009
I worked with Steve at Seminole County Sheriff's Office. I always remember his smile and his blue eyes. He talked about his wife and family and he loved his grandchildren. He would talk about fishing and I am not the fond of it but Steve always made it sound like fun. My love and prayers are will always be with you and your entire family. Steve was a wonderful and loving individual and I feel blessed working and knowing him.
Warren Wright
April 21, 2009
My prayers and thoughts are with you all forever. I wish you the best God Bless you all!!
Kelly Smith
April 21, 2009
My heart goes out to your whole family. I am sorry to hear of your loss. You will be in my prayers.
Kim Bierer
April 21, 2009
Melissa, your friends at Millhiser Smith want you to know, if there's ANYTHING we can do to help you, Eric or the girls, don't be afraid to ask....we love and miss you!
Chris and Traci Martin
April 21, 2009
Melissa and family, we were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sandy Weber
April 21, 2009
Jackie, Corey & Melissa, you will be in my prayers. I do remember, from my childhood, the big and strong Steve who was really just a big old teddy bear of a man. You must be so proud of how he lived his life and knowing that he is with the Lord. My heart goes out to you and the family.
Gordon Carter
April 21, 2009
Our prayers go out to this family! We witnessned the incident both at the island and the fast response at the boat ramp. All were heros that day including the two men in the boat who got him to shore.
Gordon and Renee Carter (Casselberry,Fl)
Renate Weber
April 21, 2009
We lost one of the best Man, Father, Grandfather, Friend,I will cherished the time we had with Steve, We have known him for 40 years, always helpful, always there for others, Heaven got a wonderful addition. We mourn his death, but Thank God for the resurection.All my love goes to the Family.We feel Privileged to have known him Gary and Renate Weber Orlando Florida
Patrick Weise Rtd. 2004
April 21, 2009
As a fellow officer who worked for Ottie at OPD, many memories of those years have often been replayed. My deepest and most heart felt prayers are with you and your family. May God continue to hold you in the palm of His hand and never close His fist too tight!
April 21, 2009
With our deepest sympathy.
Louis and Tavia
Cotroneo
Margie Sum, OPD ret.
April 21, 2009
I agree with Jack. Lt Harrelson was a gentle but firm leader at OPD. He was one to teach while he commanded. He was always nice to me and I will never forget his kindness. My prayers are with his family, we have lost a good man.
Walt Brooks
April 21, 2009
Dear Harrelson Family --
I never met Steve but saw the information sharing his death with all other law enforcement officers on Police Link. I am a retired Special Agent in Charge with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with 34+ years of service. Reading about Steve reminds me so very much of many police officers and deputy sheriffs I have met over a lifetime of serving in law enforcement. Steve was obviously well thought of in Florida law enforcement circles and remained a cop at heart after retirement. He is one of those heroes who makes it through all those years and close calls in law enforcement and is still giving to the community he served years later. It would have been an honor to have known him. Please accept the sincere sympathy of our law enforcement family in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Walt Brooks (GBI 28 retired)
Alice Ann Nilsen
April 21, 2009
Jackie, Corey and Melissa:
My deepest sympathy is extended to you on your tragic loss of husband and dad. I am not surprised that he tried to save a child. Ottie was a great father and a wonderful example of a Christian man for our community. I will cherish the memories of the times he attended choir concerts, musicals and chaperoned on choir trips. He was always concerned that his children were being what he had brought them up to be. His prayers were answered. I will remember each of you and your extended family in my prayers in this time of sorrow. May God give you the extra peace and support that you need at this time.
Donnie, Joy & family Harrelson
April 21, 2009
Dearest Steve, You will be loved and missed by all whose lives you touched. Our blessing is knowing you will be with the Lord waiting for us as we come home. Love always, Donnie, Joy and family
Jack Barrett
April 21, 2009
I served with Ottie at OPD. He was the perfect definition of a man. He could be tough as nails when he needed to be, yet he could be kind and gentle, with a soft spot for children.
I never worried about my safety when Ottie was on the scene.
While he servered the Orlando Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriffs Office, he wasn't just about law enforcement. He loved his family and he loved teaching children. Which is why he was on the river with kids the day he passed. No one who knew him was surprised that he jumped in the water when a child fell in. He will be missed by his family, his many friends, and by all those whose lives he has touched over the years. Thank you Ottie for being there when we needed you. Everytime I put a line in the water I will think of you
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