James Wilbur "Jim " Harwell

James Wilbur "Jim " Harwell A Memorial Service for James Wilbur "Jim" Harwell will be held at Bethel Baptist Church, 11040 E. Escalante Rd., Tucson, AZ on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. The U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and active duty soldier in the "Lord's Army" for 64 years, was called from his earthly home in Tucson to his eternal home in Heaven on April 20, 2010. As a flight engineer and gunner on PBM patrol bombers, he flew numerous anti-submarine missions over the Atlantic. He found it significant that the only known remaining PBM has been restored and is now on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson. He was invited to tour the plane while it was being restored. He and his wife were deeply honored and touched to be given the special viewing and were thrilled to know that the plane had found a home in Tucson. It is the desire of his family that the Memorial Service pay tribute not only to Pastor Harwell's service to our country during World War II, but to all who have served in the U.S. military during any era of our country's history, including those who are currently serving honorably as guardians of our freedom. Born March 28, 1923 in Union Point, GA, the highly respected pastor and Bible teacher's earthly tabernacle was laid to rest in the church yard cemetery of his first pastorate, Bethany Baptist Church, Madison, GA, April 24, 2010. A Homegoing Service immediately followed in the church auditorium. Many former parishioners from the churches he pastored in Georgia, Alabama and Florida braved a severe storm to attend this service out of respect to their former pastor and mentor. It was a special joy to "Brother Jim," as he was affectionately known, to serve as founding pastor of Gilead Baptist Church in Macon, GA and to lead the Church in establishing Gilead Christian Academy while serving as both pastor of the church and president of the Academy. Adding to this joy was his service in the same capacity with Berachah Baptist Church and Berachah Academy in Huntsville, AL. The last ten years of the 44-year pastoral phase of his ministry were as pastor of Central Baptist Church in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. On his 70th birthday in 1993, the dedicated pastor resigned his Florida pastorate to establish "Feeding the Flock Ministry," providing his clear-cut Bible messages on cassette tape, free of charge, to anyone requesting them. He and his wife, Maynelle, moved to Alamogordo, NM to begin this ministry. The couple also traveled extensively throughout the country for preaching and singing engagements. In 1999 they moved to Trails West Mobile Home Community in Tucson. They continued sending out his taped messages to many parts of the world. It was especially gratifying to them that countless messages were requested by U.S. military personnel serving in various parts of the world. One of Brother Jim's greatest joys was receiving letters and calls from these men and women faithfully serving our country. The deeply devoted World War II veteran, pastor, husband, father and grandfather is survived by Maynelle LeMaster Harwell, his beloved wife, sweetheart and helpmeet for 59 years; their three children, James Wilbur (Jimmy) Harwell, Jr., Pensacola, FL, Cheryl Harwell Blaker (Ross), Anchorage, Alaska and Sonya Harwell Jackson (Clarence), Pensacola, FL. Also surviving are his sister, Grace Harwell Bedwell (C.W.), Cleveland, TN and seven grandchildren, Joanne Harwell, Whitney and Torin Blaker, Dustin, Austin, Amanda and Cassandra Jackson. The family wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Nicholas Rice, his precious nurse Patty and others on the staff of University Medical Pantano Clinic for all their kind care for nearly ten years. The loving care of hospice nurses including that of case manager RN Linda Ellis in Brother Jim's final days meant more than words can express. Lastly special appreciation goes to Bring's Broadway Chapel for their respectful treatment and care of our dearly beloved's earthly remains.