Mel Harness, 71, of Harrison, completed his earthly ministry on March 4th, 2025.  Mel was preceded in death by his son Andrew, his parents Emily and Earl, and his brother Kenny Vail

Born on January 23, 1954, to Earl and Emily Harness, Mel embraced at a young age that faith and family were priorities and that honesty and dedicated work were virtues that should be nurtured.  In 1976, on a journey to work in Alaska, Mel made it as far as Oregon, where he met Darla Oates. They married three months later and returned to Arkansas to start their life together.  Mel asked Darla to commit to three things before they married.  One was for her to not seek employment so that she could raise their family, second was that he never wanted to divorce, and third was that they wouldn't have a good marriage, but a great one.  After 48 years of marriage, those commitments were all accomplished.  Their marriage has served as a wonderful example of a relationship built upon the firm foundation of their faith in Jesus Christ.  In 1979, Mel and Darla welcomed their first child, Nathan.  Hannah, Jenny, and Andrew would be born in the following years, much to their joy.  Mel prioritized raising his children in a Christ-centered home, both teaching them through scripture and by example.  This was a legacy that generations before him had demonstrated, and he embraced the responsibility to continue that commission.  One of his favorite verses to share when he had his children and grandchildren present was 3 John 1:4, "I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in truth."

Mel was called to ministry at a young age and devoted his life to doing Kingdom work, whether through pastoring churches, which he did for over 40 years, or ministering with acts of service, discipleship, or charity through his business.  Mel realized that the mission field is anywhere and everywhere. He viewed the world from a Kingdom perspective. Because of this, he was a well-respected and trusted businessman who always sought opportunities to do a job well, but more importantly, he sought out opportunities to minister through his words and actions.

Mel was a man of many talents and interests and embodied the entrepreneurial spirit.  Most knew him as a pastor and a roofer, but he was so much more.  His son Nathan knew him as well as anyone, and he compiled a wonderful list to describe his father:  Child of God, pastor, shepherd, roofer, boot salesman, author, poet, husband, father, Papa, deep thinker, prairie restorationist, pyromaniac/impromptu firefighter, master gardener, storyteller, pie connoisseur, colloquialism collector, promoter of health, counselor, employer, personal building consultant who was always better than YouTube videos, apologist, tough question answerer, basketball player, David Hasselhoff lookalike, and so much more.

Mel taught so many so much over the years, but one important point he consistently made was that if we are believers in Christ, the day we leave our fleshly bodies will be the best day of our lives.  We pray that this brings you irrevocable joy as we celebrate Mel, a good and faithful servant.

Mel is survived by his wife Darla, his son Nathan and Caitlin Harness (Harrison, Sophia, Thatcher), daughter Hannah and Alan Hickman (Ava, Amos, and Aslan), daughter Jenny and Justin Dillon (Mia, August, and Arlow), brother Gary and Jean Harness, brother Roger and Patty Harness, brother Tim and Reneta Harness, and sister Emma and Mark Ramer.

Visitation will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at Woodland Heights Church in Harrison. The funeral service will immediately follow at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Ron Hutchcraft Ministries.

Hutchcraft.com/give/give-to-on-eagles-wings Or mail a check to: Hutchcraft Ministries, PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602-0400.