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Marvin Randolph “Randy” Harrell, 80, of Salisbury and Merry Hill, N.C., died Saturday, April 21, 2018.
He was born Dec. 8, 1937, in Wayne County, a son of the late Agnes and Marvin Harrell.
He graduated from N.C. State University with a master’s degree in counseling. He was a running back on the N.C. State football team from 1958-1960. He originally worked at Boys Homes of North Carolina at Lake Waccamaw in Whiteville, a sanctuary for hurting children (now Boys and Girls Homes). In 1966, he became a federal probation officer for the Middle District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court, with jurisdiction over 24 counties.
A lifelong student of North Carolina historical architecture and furniture, he and his wife, Sandra, worked on the restoration of many18thand 19thcentury log and timber-frame structures, including the Leo Miller homeplace on Old Beatty Ford Road, Salisbury; Elmwood Plantation in Merry Hill; the homeplace of artists Francis and Sarah Speight of Bertie County, and the Ward-Bass/Lilly-White timber-frame homes (1770-1809) in Merry Hill on historic Salmon Creek. Recent research names the Salmon Creek area of Bertie County as the possible relocation of the Lost Colony residents, once Roanoke was abandoned. He also compiled extensive research of early farmhouses in eastern North Carolina, called “A Story and A Jump” for the unique design. They also worked at Hope Plantation while in Bertie County and served as guides at the Old Stone House in eastern Rowan.
He shared his love of raising English setters, quail hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra; daughter, Ginny Harrell Conroy (Ed) of St. Paul, Minn.; sons, Greg and Will (Bonnie) Harrell, both of Salisbury; grandchildren, Riley, Hunt and Hannah Conroy, Cole and Jillian Harrell, and Anna and Liam Harrell; a sister, Virginia Harrell Duke of Claremont, FL, and nephew, Dr. Jeff Duke (Dana) of Claremont, FL.
A gathering will be held for friends and family Monday, April 23, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. at Trinity Oaks Activity Room, 820 Klumac Road, Salisbury.
MIKE AND SANDY OWNBEY says
Miss Sandra and family, we are sorry to hear of Randy’s passing. We have enjoyed his and your friendship.His humor and knowledge will be missed.
It’s a comfort to know that he suffers no more.God Bless.
Bucky Cline says
Will – so sorry to hear about your dad, one of my all-time favorites, but of course who would not like an old Wolfpacker. Have fond memories of basketball at the old Y as well as interviewing some of his “clients”.
alice Kay Lewis says
What a sad day, we shared such fun times at Grantham and in Raleigh.
Sandra I love you both missed seeing you all these years If you will send me funeral ribbon or a piece of clothing I will may you a memorial that I have made hundreds of
Kay Lewis 154 Wallace Rd Beaufort ,NC 28516 I would love to do that for you
Williams Family says
Condolences to the Harrell family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, “heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.” May God bring you comfort and peace.
Dotty and Bill Hill says
I am so sorry that we did not know of Randy’s death. He and my husband were such good friends at NCSU and for many years afterwards. We loved him.
Dotty and Bill Hill Winston Salem
Jimmy Hood says
Randy or Ran to me, was one of my favorite cousins. I still remember, he would come spend the summer while he was in college at our family farm in Grantham. There are so many memories, wish I could turn back time and spend one more day with him.