SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 43

(By Senators Chafin, Cole, Williams, Plymale, Kessler (Mr. President), McCabe, Wells, Yost, Jenkins, Barnes, Beach, Blair, Boley, Cann, Carmichael, Cookman, Edgell, Facemire, Fitzsimmons, Green, D. Hall, M. Hall, Kirkendoll, Laird, Miller, Nohe, Palumbo, Prezioso, Snyder, Stollings, Sypolt, Tucker, Unger and Walters)

Memorializing the life and public service of a favored son, James Howard “Buck” Harless.

    Whereas, James Howard “Buck” Harless was born October 14, 1919, in Taplin, West Virginia, to Bessie Brown Harless and her husband Pearly J. Harless. Soon after his birth, his mother died of pneumonia, and he was taken in and raised by his mother’s sister Rosa and her husband George Erastis “Ras” Ellis of Gilbert; and

    Whereas, When James Howard “Buck” Harless was young, he was given the nickname “Buster” and townspeople referred to him as Buster Ellis. It was later that he came to be known as Buck Harless. Throughout his life he cherished the love and support he received from Ras and Rosa Ellis, whom he considered his mom; and

    Whereas, James Howard “Buck” Harless attended Gilbert public schools and graduated high school in 1937. During that time his first real job was working for George Crago, who operated a garage and wrecker service in Gilbert. He learned from George Crago a business philosophy of trust, honor and commitment to excellence through hard work and dedication to customer satisfaction; and

    Whereas, As a child of the Great Depression, James Howard “Buck” Harless yearned to attend college but was unable to fulfill that dream for lack of money; and

    Whereas, On February 25, 1939, James Howard “Buck” Harless eloped with his high school sweetheart June Montgomery, the beginning of a marriage that spanned sixty years and produced two children, Larry Joe and Judy. In the early years of their marriage he worked at Red Jacket Coal Corporation, first as a laborer and later in its engineering department. June Harless died in April, 1999; and

    Whereas, In 1947 James Howard “Buck” Harless was offered an opportunity to own a one-third interest in a small sawmill that was doomed to failure without proper management and operation. He dedicated himself to the task, bought out his partners in short order and made a success of the operation. This was the beginning of what was to become International Industries, Inc., a collection of diverse companies with a worldwide imprint; and

    Whereas, On January 23, 1955, a day that began with his feeling utterly alone and lost ended in tranquility and a sense of redemption when James Howard “Buck” Harless opened his heart to the Lord at the Gilbert Presbyterian Church. No other event had such a profound, lasting impact on his life; and

    Whereas, In 1966 Georgia Pacific Corporation purchased his lumber operations, making James Howard “Buck” Harless a multimillionaire at the age of forty-seven. Rather than retire, he acted on the suggestion of his son Larry, who worked with his father, to operate sawmills in South America. Against substantial odds, they succeeded where multinational companies failed; and

    Whereas, In the 1970s, along with friends - among them Fred Shewey and Frank Allara - James Howard “Buck” Harless entered the coal business in southern West Virginia. The timing was fortuitous because the price of coal soared to record highs, ensuring business success and adding greatly to his personal wealth. He also added multi-state manufacturing and real estate businesses to his enterprise family; and

    Whereas, Even though he oversaw wide-ranging business interests, James Howard “Buck” Harless served his church, community and state with dedication and commitment. He served on numerous boards and civic organizations. He supported West Virginia University and Marshall University in substantial ways. He provided many with the opportunity to attend college. While his philanthropic activities are well noted, the breadth and depth are known to but a few because he did not seek favor through his actions, but rather he tried to make a difference and use his wealth to serve the greater good; and

    Whereas, Former President George W. Bush credited James Howard “Buck” Harless with his election to the nation’s highest office, because Buck cast the two hundred seventieth electoral vote, providing the margin of victory in the Electoral College; and

    Whereas, Over the years, James Howard “Buck” Harless amassed a legion of friends, all of whom he held dearly in his heart. He considered friendship the most valuable thing that a person could have, and he felt more blessed with friends than with monetary wealth; and

    Whereas, James Howard “Buck” Harless passed away peacefully on January 1, 2014, with his wife Hallie by his side and surrounded by family; and

    Whereas, From a life of humble beginnings in rural West Virginia to the ends of the world, it is fitting to recognize and honor James Howard “Buck” Harless for his many community and philanthropic achievements and his dedication to his church, his community and his state; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate hereby memorializes the life public service of a favored son, James Howard “Buck” Harless; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Senate expresses its sincere gratitude to James Howard “Buck” Harless for his everlasting contributions to the State of West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of James Howard “Buck” Harless, including his wife Hallie of Gilbert; daughter Judith Ann Burgess of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; half-brothers Jimmy Harless and Earl Harless; stepsons Ryan Mollette and Brett Mollette; four grandchildren: James Harless II, and his wife Sjon Harless, of Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica and Mobile, Alabama, Maurice Kirk “M. K.” Harless, and his wife Paula Harless, of Mobile, Alabama, Beverly Burgess of Shelbyville, Tennessee, and Stephanie Burgess Palmer, and her husband Robert “Robby” Palmer, of Mobile, Alabama; and six great-grandchildren: James Howard “Trip” III, Hope, Chelsea, Kitty, Chase and Hannah.