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Obituary for Gary Jude Harkins
Gary Jude Harkins— also known as Honey, Dad, Pop, Big G, Mr. Gary, and Smokey to his college friends— passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family Saturday, April 24, 2021. He was born December 28, 1941, to Lilly Rambin Harkins and Joseph Emile Harkins in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and was the youngest of four children. He graduated from Mansfield High School and then went on to attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Gary lived his life for his family he loved so dearly. The end of his life was no different as he was full of gratitude and joy to be surrounded by his devoted wife, Pam, and his four children who will always cherish their time together.
Gary is survived by the love of his life, Pam, with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage this past October. Their marriage was truly full of love, respect, honor and fun. Their children are blessed by the example they set over a half a century together. Gary is also survived by all four of his children; Josh Harkins (Andrea) of Flowood, MS; Amy Gross (Taylor) of Washington, D.C.; Beth Harkins of Madison, MS, and Paige Bray (Scott) of Celina, TX. Gary and Pam have nine grandchildren: Emerson and Carlysle Harkins, Tate, Henry and Lilly Gross, Avery and Jude Aldridge, and Alexandra and Wesley Bray.
Gary, a lifelong devout Catholic, was a founding Member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Flowood in 1979. He built the first temporary church on Grants Ferry Road while in search for a permanent location. Gary has served on every Building Committee, Parish Council, and Parish Planning and Development Committee since the inception of St. Paul’s, and served as a Commentator and Usher for over 35 years.
Gary began his career in real estate as a sales associate in May of 1971 selling commercial real estate. In the mid 1970’s, he founded two successful companies: Harkins & Harkins Builders, Inc., which engaged in construction and development of single family homes and apartments and Harkins Realty Inc., a company that developed, leased and managed commercial real estate in Madison, Ridgeland, and Flowood. Over the past 40+ years, he formed several different partnerships and joint ventures with friends in real estate. Gary and his son Josh have successfully managed and operated the Harkins family group of companies for the past 24 years.
Gary was well known as a respected and active member in the Mississippi Republican Party for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Mississippi State Republican Executive Committee and Rankin County Republican Executive Committee from 1992 through 2020, and has served for 12 years as Chairman of the Rankin County Republican Executive Committee. He was chosen to serve as a Delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1992, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. Over the years, he has been asked to serve as Rankin County Campaign Chairman for numerous republican candidates from Presidents, U.S. Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Lt. Governors, and other statewide and county candidates.
Gary was a past member of the Mississippi and Jackson Association of Realtors, a past member and Director of both the Mississippi Homebuilders Association and the Jackson Homebuilders Association, and was a Director and Vice President of the Jackson Apartment Association. He served the State of Mississippi for four years as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Mississippi Development Authority under Governor Kirk Fordice. He was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour and Governor Phil Bryant to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation and the Mississippi Development Bank.
Gary had many notable successes throughout his lifetime. At the end of his life, he profoundly claimed that his biggest responsibility and accomplishment was setting an example of Godly faith by leading his wife, children and grandchildren to establish their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In addition, Gary taught his children the value of hard work, responsibility, determination, honesty, dignity, and respect. These are the values he lived by and are what many of his friends remember him for today.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Lilly Rambin Harkins and Joseph Emile Harkins, his three siblings: Janelle Harkins DeVargas, Mary Jo Harkins Merriman and Jerry Emile Harkins.
A celebration of his life will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 2:30 p.m. followed by a graveside service at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.
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