U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Robert Harkins

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland announces the death of U.S. Army Sergeant Jason Robert Harkins, age 25 of Fort Lewis Washington, formerly of Cleveland. Sergeant Harkins died proudly serving our country in Baghdad on Sunday, May 06, 2007 along with five other men in his platoon. Born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky on September 29, 1981, Sergeant Harkins was a 1999 graduate of Habersham Central High School, served 3 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, and was currently serving with the Striker Brigade, second airborne infantry division based at Fort Lewis, Washington serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He received the Bronze Star of valor and the Purple Heart. Sergeant Harkins was a member of the Lake City Community Church in Lakewood, Washington and was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Donald Harkins. Survivors include his wife, Emily Renee’ Cook Harkins, Tacoma, Washington; mother and stepfather, Nancy and Allen Fritchey, Cleveland; father and step-mother, Bobby and April Harkins, Cleveland; brothers, Matthew Pete Harkins, Cleveland; Daniel Howard Harkins, Colorado Springs, CO; maternal grandmother, Sue Painter McDonald, Springfield, Maine; maternal grandparents, Weldon and Joy Pardue, Cleveland; paternal grandmother, Norma Messimer, Hogansville; step-grandparents, Joye and John Fritchey, Clarkesville; step-grandmother, JoAnne Watts, Gasden, AL; step-sisters, Katie Hicks, Cleveland; Clara Shirley, Alto; Nicole Lekra, Durango, CO; Jennifer Fritchey, Orlando, FL; Emily Hicks, Cleveland; step-brother, Scott Hicks, Gasden, AL; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2007 from Concord Baptist Church in Clermont, Georgia with the Rev. Allan Morris, the Rev. Darwood Santmier, and the Rev. Russ Butcher officiating. Burial will follow in Yonah View Memorial Gardens in Cleveland. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and on Friday from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations be made to the Sergeant Jason Harkins Scholarship Fund, c/o United Community Bank, 153 East Kytle Street, Cleveland, Georgia 30528, to Lake City Community Church, Lakewood, Washington or to Concord Baptist Church in Clermont, Georgia. Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting www.barrettfh.com Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland is in charge of arrangements. (706)865-3101