Harry E Burrell

Obituary of Harry Eugene Burrell, born December 28, 1934 in Port Huron, Michigan.

Harry Eugene Burrell, 84, of Port Huron, went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, March 31, 2019 in Lake Huron Medical Center.

He was born December 28, 1934 in Port Huron. He was the fourth of nine children born to the late Robert and Edna (Lindsay) Burrell.

He left school at 17 to help support his family and to find new opportunity in the United States Air Force. He would obtain his high school degree later in life.

In 1957 he married his sweetheart Elizabeth Taylor and they shared 62 wonderful years together. To that union were born five children. Together the young couple shared many new experiences in Michigan, Ohio, Arkansas, New Mexico, Indiana and oversees in Germany.

Harry retired from the Air Force in 1971 and moved his family back to Port Huron. He began a second career serving as a City of Port Huron firefighter for over 15 years.

Harry loved the Lord and was a long time Head Deacon at the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. He lived with the Blessed hope that the Church would come together as “one in Christ”. He loved serving at Metropolitan, attending Bible study, the robust discussion of scripture and living out its practical application.

Harry had a great appreciation for music, particularly the likes of soul, jazz and R & B. Music could be heard in all parts of his home including the “Man-Cave” (garage). He enjoyed having friends and family over for barbeques and fellowship. He found life very interesting and could keep you engaged with his humor, laugh, insight, quick wit or subtle grin!

Harry loved his family. He and Elizabeth would travel the United States and overseas to visit their out of town children, while the children in town would benefit from his love to serve. He was a self-taught carpenter, electrician, plumber and handy man who everyone could call on. His fingerprints were left in each one of his children’s homes.

Harry was a great provider and hard worker who encouraged his children to have “self-employed initiative”, probably a phrase he learned in the military. Other quotes often heard from him were, “Just look at it, you can figure it out”, “Driving is a full time job” and “I love you more “just to name a few.

Harry wasn’t afraid to take a risk. He ventured into the restaurant business in 1982 with the opening of Harry’s Barbeque on 24th street. After about 2 years he sold the business for cash and a boat (he also knew how to relax)!

Harry was a founding member of the Port Huron Men’s Club. He also served as a member of the local NAACP and on the board of the “Friends of the Leonard Center”. In retirement Harry continued to work part time for many years at the River District Super Market, where he was respectfully known as Papa Harry. He would continue to devote personal time to the “green thumb” he had acquired as a teenager. He and Liz would plant and nurture a yard full of beautiful plants and flowers every spring and summer.

Harry is survived by, and will be forever missed and loved by his devoted wife Elizabeth, whom he referred to as his “Angel” and his children Greg (Laura) Burrell, Tyrone (Laura) Burrell, Glenda (Michael) Miller, Yvette (Josh) Brown, Kevin (Elizabeth) Burrell , 12 grandchildren, Mike Jr., Sabrina, Kristi, Shane, Shannon, Amanda, Troy, Ryon, Alex, Leticia, Selena and Sean along with their spouses, eleven great grandchildren and his siblings Donald Burrell, Dr. Leon “Freddie” Burrell (Toni Trombley), and Anita Whitlow, a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews “adopted children” and friends. Harry was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Rabiah, Robert “Buddo”, Lillian, Brenda, and Leonard “Poochie” Burrell.

Visitation will be held 2-8 p.m. Friday April 12, 2019 in the Marysville Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday April 13, 2019 at the Colonial Woods Missionary Church with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. The Reverend Anthony King will officiate. Military Honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Air Force and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the SONS Outreach ministries.

To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com.