Robert Earl Harkins Jr's Obituary
Robert Earl Harkins, Jr, 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus on March 17, 2025. Earl was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend whose life was forever centered on his faith, his family and his many cherished friendships.
Born in Marshall, TX on July 22, 1935, Earl was raised in Scottsville, TX along with his younger sister Debbie, by parents Angela Lancaster and Robert, E. Harkins, Sr. It was here that Earl learned the values of hard work, integrity, faith, and friendship that remained with him for all of his life.
Earl graduated from Marshall High School in 1953 where he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Simmons. They married in August 1956 and moved to Ausin where Earl completed his senior year and graduated from the University of Texas in 1957. Forever a Texas Longhorn!
Earl’s career took his family to Mississippi with Hughes Tool Company, back to Marshall with Cobb Industries, and finally in 1973 a move to Longview, where he shifted his career path from management to real estate and established Earl Harkins Real Estate Company. This proved to be the perfect fit for Earl, whose kind, friendly demeanor complimented his dedicated work ethic as he helped families find their first home or their forever home.
The foundation of Earl’s life was His faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Earl was a humble servant and faithful member of First Baptist Church in Longview. He and Mary Ann met lifelong friends here who loved and encouraged them through prayer and Bible study but also created wonderful memories with times spent together at socials, holiday parties, golf, game nights of cards and dominoes, Friday night high school football games and Sunday night dinners.
In his later years, Earl would often say, “I have had the best life! “Not even complications of Type 1 diabetes could dampen Earl’s thankfulness for the life that God blessed him with on this earth. He loved to reminisce and share stories about his life and also enjoyed listening to others share their life stories. He cherished every friend he made throughout his life and made it a priority to remain close to each one. Earl dearly loved his wife and children, he loved his grandchildren and was so proud of each one of them, and he loved that he lived to see ten precious great-grandchildren! Truly, he felt blessed by God “immeasurably more than he could ever ask or imagine!” (Eph 3: 20)
Earl is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Mary Ann Harkins, his children Bob Harkins and Kellye Harkins Hawes and husband Jay, grandchildren Rachel Blakely (Mike), Jeffrey Hawes (Jacy) and Michael Hawes (Madison) and ten great-grandchildren. Earl is also survived by his sister Debbie Giles Spies and brother-in-law Bob Spies, along with many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother-in-law Barney Giles.
Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Longview on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM with burial following at Scottsville Cemetery in Scottsville, TX; on the grounds of the church where Earl made his profession of faith in Christ at the age of 8.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church of Longview or the charity of your choosing.
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