Birth date: Nov 25, 1938 Death date: Jun 5, 2020
Dr. John Edward Harkins, 81, of Memphis passed away on Friday, June 5, 2020. John was a 4th generation native Memphian; he was the fourth out of five sons of the late Charles Joseph Harkins and Helen Fay Harkins. John was presiden Read Obituary
I am so sorry to learn (belatedly) of John Harkins passing. I was thinking about the both of you this afternoon and how it had been years since I last saw you guys and looked him up on the internet. I wish I had done so years earlier. Hard to believe I was an altar boy and your wedding over 50 years ago. Again, my deepest sympathies
Harris Lentz
Please accept our respectful condolences and prayers to the Harkins Family for the loss of Johnny during this difficult time. We would've enjoyed meeting such a man with his passion and deep knowledge of history!
Annie & Isaac
Who would have dreamed that he might become a PHD. A professor of history.
He was a real history buff.
MUS historian.
Christian brothers college (CBC) Hall Of Fame, along with his brother Tommy Harkins.
What a unique honor.
I LOVE my brother.
Johnny didn’t care about sports.
He didn’t like sports. (Georgia did share that he loved soccer). He tried out and established himself first string on the basketball team. Then he quit. He wanted to prove he could accomplish whatever he set his mind to.
I cut his curly hair one time when I was age 6 or 7.
In those days we shared a bed.
Charming Memphis history (chuckle).
Lived on 1015 Wellington and Walker.
Dad remembers the beautiful magnolia tree as one that stood the test of time. Only the steps remain of their childhood home.
Pieces of the family tree.
(There’s more to this story.)
Charles Joseph Harkins, father. Helen Fay Harkins, mother. His father died of cancer in about 1943.
Grandmother Nellie Fitzgerald Fay worked for 45 years at Goldsmiths. Sister of Nellie , Agnus Fay. Brother Of Nellie, John Fay In St Louis.
Michael Leo Harkins, grandfather
Circleville Ohio his father given land for Union Army service.
Bill Fay
Howell Michigan
Charles Samuel Harkins,
Relocated Bakersfield, California
Michael Leo Harkins’ brother.
Grandmother Margarette Lillis (Harkins verify)
House built in 16th century, In Ireland.
For more genealogy, Johnny, Pat McCarver, and Grover Edward McCarver gathered and published information about Memphis genealogy as they sought to discover what family had the oldest roots in Memphis, Tennessee.
(Written by Charles Harkins III) Dictated by Charles Harkins Jr.
John was and always will be an MUS icon, Georgia. Even though we were in different departments, I came to know him, respect him, and appreciate his friendship. His presence is irreplaceable. Diana Moore
Johnny was a very witty and kind person. As a kid, many of his jokes went over my head.
His conversations were creative, inspirational and challenging to ones intelligence. Georgia and Johnny are known for their kindness and generosity.
I stayed at their home, while my Mom (Marilyn McCarver Harkins) was being treated after a mental breakdown. I was about 8 or nine then. I remember learning a lot of seventies music at night while I slept at their house. My sister Laurie, shared a memory Of going to the drive-in theater with Georgia and Johnny. I vaguely remember that fun time.
Their Volkswagen reminded me of the Herbie the Love Bug movie.
Georgia inspired me to paint with water colors at a very early age. Johnny, much like my Dad was a great Chef.
Rest In Peace Uncle Johnny Harkins. You are loved!
Georgia,
I had the privilege, pleasure and great fun of working with John for years. I’m so sorry to hear that he has died, and I know that nothing I can say can soften your loss; but I can remind you of John’s devotion to his craft, love of the place he found at MUS, and the way the boys returned his joy, learning from his classes and his archive projects.
To have done a fine job at your work, to have found a beautiful place to do that work, and to have been roundly honored for it . . . now there is the life well-lived.
Joan joins me in tribute to your dear John.
Eric Berman
Thinking of you Georgia. I know you will miss him greatly. What an accomplished life, pursuing his passion of teaching and history.
John Weems
John was a considerate, caring gentleman and colleague at Memphis University School. I enjoyed his thoughtful storytelling style and appreciated his concern for our students and school.
Bonnie Barnes
A friend, colleague, ardent academic, and fervent historian. Oh, how I and my West Tennessee Historical Society associates miss him. And bless you, Georgia. I wish you God's peace.
BRYAN MASSEY
John was a giant in local and regional history, a scholar, a gentleman, a mentor and above all an educator of young and old. Few have done as much as John did to encourage and stimulate the study of our extraordinary city and region, and none have done more.
He will be sorely missed by the West Tennessee Historical Society, by MUS, and by many others.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Georgia.
Ed Frank
