Ike Bowen Harrell, Jr.

Ike Bowen Harrell, Jr.

Ike Bowen Harrell, Jr., of Valdosta, became absent from his body and present with our Lord on Thursday at Sunset on September 2, 2010, at home surrounded by all his family and loved ones. He was born on July 26, 1943, at Little-Griffin Hospital in Valdosta to the late Ike Bowen Harrell, Sr., and the late Lena Maude Hiers Harrell.

Ike spent his entire life in Valdosta where he attended Valdosta City Schools. While at Valdosta High School he played on and was Captain of the Valdosta High School Wildcat Basketball Team. He attended Georgia Military College in Dahlonega, Georgia, and graduated from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, Georgia, with a B.S. Degree in Business. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Army National Guard at Fort Dix, New Jersey, along with many Achievement Awards for his shooting ability. Spending his summers on Twin Lakes, he mastered water skiing and was offered employment at world famous Cypress Gardens, Florida.

Known and loved by thousands of people, Ike was an avid hunter. He was a member of several hunting clubs and his office shelves are lined with trophies and awards world-wide from Sporting Clays and Skeet Shooting. He harvested his first 8-point Buck at the age of eleven. He loved South Georgia Quail Hunting, Louisiana Duck Hunting and the last ten years, enjoyed Argentina Dove Hunting. Loving the outdoors and nature, Ike was a Certified Open Water Diver and was an experienced Pilot. He was especially loved for his ability to "tell a story" in detail like no other and all those he greeted will never forget his strong handshake.

Ike was the owner of Valdosta Dry Cleaners, Harrell's Contracting and Harrell's Interiors and most his employees have been life-time, proving his sincere desire to serve and help others.

Ike was a member of First Baptist Church where he served proudly as a Deacon and on numerous other Committees. He founded the infamous Outlaw Class which has become the largest and most productive Sunday School Class in the area. His love for his Lord and his fear of the loss of the unsaved drove him to be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ. He was instrumental in the forming of the Annual Israel Teaching/Tour for First Baptist and loved The Holy Land and had great compassion for the Jewish people.

He is survived by his college-sweetheart wife of 42 and ½ years, Marguerite Shelton Harrell, who is his love of a lifetime, soul-mate and hunting buddy. And, three daughters and two son-in-laws; Bonny Bowen Harrell McKinnon and her husband, David, of Dallas, Georgia, Amy Shelton Harrell Mackey and her husband, Lee and Leah Harrell Shaw, two granddaughters, Lillian Shelton Houston and Susanna Marie Shaw and two step-grandchildren, Mac and Morgan Mackey all of Valdosta. He is also survived by a brother, Dr. Larry Harrell of Staunton, Virginia, 3 aunts, 3 sister-in-laws, and numerous cousins and one special sister-in-law, Gail "Buff" Bailey and his trusted companion Boykin Spaniel, Jake.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church Sunday, September 5, at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Phil West and Rev. Mac Weaver officiating. Interment will follow at Good Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Roger Douglas, Steve Gupton, Brook Bearden, Buddy Tucker, Tom Tucker and Paul Zipperer. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Deacons of First Baptist Church and there will be a special recognition of The Harrell Outlaw Class. The family will receive friends at the Carson McLane Funeral Home on Saturday evening from 5 – 7 p.m. Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Israel Teaching Tour. Condolences may be made online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602