Lt. Col. Harold A. Furness, Jr. (Ret)

Harold Alan Furness, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret), of Pottsville, died Thursday at Luther Ridge, Pottsville. He was born in Haddonfield, NJ, a son of the late Harold A., Sr., and Amy Olander. Furness. He was a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School and attended Banks Business College, Philadelphia. Mr. Furness was a retired insurance salesman and former Real Estate Associate. A combat veteran of World War II, he completed over 28 years of combined active and reserve service in the Army. During World War II, he participated in four campaigns in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. While on active duty during the Vietnam conflict, as Lieutenant Colonel, he was advisor to the reserve units in this area, with additional duty as a survivor assistant officer. As survivor assistant officer Lieutenant Colonel Furness, along with Sergeant First Class Charles R. Sackman, were directed to parents or next of kin to verify KIAs by telegram. Verifications were made over dozens of times throughout the Vietnam Conflict. As Survivor Assistant Officer, both Lieutenant Colonel Furness and Sergeant First Class Sackman were awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Lieutenant Colonel Furness retired from Active Duty in 1970. Mr. Furness was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Pottsville, serving in many capacities as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Board of the Administrative Board. He was also Past President of the Pottsville Kiwanis Club, Past President and life member of the Hazelton Chapter of Reserve Officer Association #25. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Myrtle Gibson Furness; a daughter, Gwen Alyce; 2 sisters, Ruth Voight and Patricia Benjamin. Surviving is a son, James Furness and his wife Mazie, Pottstown; 3 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Graveside services with military honors will be held Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, with Rev. John Wallace officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather for a funeral procession to the cemetery from 9-9:30AM Wednesday, January 5th at James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrance in the form of contributions in memory of Harold be made to the Pottsville Free Public Library, 217 W. Market St., Pottsville, PA 17901, Pottsville Kiwanis Foundation P.O Box 175 Pottsville, PA 17901 or the Schuylkill County Historical Society, P.O. Box 1356 Pottsville, PA 17901. Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Please share your memories and condolences with Harold's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com