Harley Jay Nease, 89, of Cleveland, TN, passed away Sunday, December 30, 2012 at his home.
He retired as an oil distributor for Texaco in the Cleveland area. He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps and while serving during World War II he was in China, Burma, India, the Asiatic Theatre, the American Theater and the Panama Canal. He was a past member of the Cleveland Lions Club and also served as chairman of the Volunteer State Oil Committee. Mr. Nease was a member of Big Spring Baptist Church. He was a family man and was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Crawford and Maudie Davis Nease; and his siblings, Ray Nease, Tressie Byrd, Maggie Price, Hilda Nease, Golden Vernon, Billy Nease, Anna Lee Pendergrass, Wylene Maroon and Clarence Nease.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth Nease of Cleveland; children, Rick Nease and Sharon Baker and husband Johnny, all of Cleveland; two grandchildren, Jordan Nease and Lauren Moyle and husband Paul, all of Cleveland; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, in the chapel of Grissom Funeral Home with the Reverend Gary Thacker officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with military honors. Jordan Nease, Johnny Baker, Todd Nease, Gene Hysinger, David Watts and Marcus Palmer will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 1 at the Grissom Funeral Home who has charge of the arrangements.