Harland Blake Lovell, Jr., 80, died peacefully on May 24, 2024, at home in Germantown, TN. He was born on August 10, 1943, in Memphis, TN to the late Harland Blake Lovell, Sr. and Marjorie Phillips Lovell.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol Archer Lovell, and daughter Rev. Ruth Lovell (Bo) Bradham, all of Germantown, TN.
An active member of Speedway Terrace Baptist in his youth, after marriage he joined Highland Heights Presbyterian where he was as a deacon and an elder. In more recent years he was a member of Cordova, Shady Grove and Farmington Presbyterian churches. Whether cooking for youth retreats or serving as the financial secretary, he lived out his faith by serving others and supporting the church’s life and ministry. Often, he shared his gifts quietly behind the scenes repairing things or doing property maintenance. Both clever and creative, he could fix almost anything.
After Snowden he graduated from Humes High School and attended Memphis State University.
Harland’s earliest jobs included daily newspaper routes, working in movie theaters and Fox Photo, where he and Carol met. Building maintenance first at the 99 N. Main Building then at Clark Tower were other significant moves. In 1978, he joined the maintenance and engineering department of Methodist Hospital, now Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, which led to a career that lasted more than 30 years. Even after his retirement he returned to be a part-time security guard so he could visit with his “Methodist work family” again.
If asked, however, as a proud, life-long Memphian, Harland would likely have said that being The Peabody Hotel’s Honorary Duck Master for the day in 2018, although quite short-lived, was truly the highlight of his professional career.
Harland and Carol traveled widely. Some of his favorite adventures included the multiple cruises that ultimately carried them from northern MN to the Gulf of Mexico along the Mississippi River, long road trips and riding scenic railroads.
The son of a train engineer, he had an astonishing knowledge of trains and railroads. He loved being a photographer. He and Carol were members of the Memphis & Dixie Rose Society and won a gardening award at The American Rose Society National Convention. Some of the other organizations he volunteered for include The American Red Cross, The Optimist Club and Pinecrest Camp & Retreat Center, a ministry of the PCUSA. Truly, his most rewarding pastime was helping others.
Children and canines adored him, and he felt the same. A cockapoo named Sugar, a mischievous beagle named Blake and a Shih Tzu named Bear, just three of his terribly spoiled dogs, are now undoubtedly enjoying long walks with him once again. Rarely seen without a twinkle in his blue eyes or a smile across his face, regardless of one’s age few were able to resist the contagious joy Harland had for the small things. An ice-cold root beer. Watching the Mighty Mississippi. Fireworks. Homemade banana pudding. Seeing the wonder of Christmas, while dressed as Santa Claus, reflected in a child’s eyes. As if fulfilling his calling, Harland embraced sharing happiness with others in whatever ways he could every day of his life.
He leaves two brothers, Carey (Louise) Lovell of Houston, TX and James (Pat) Lovell of Sweetwater, TX, and one sister Sandra Egbert of Memphis, TN. He also leaves nieces, nephews, many other relatives and dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held on June 22 at 11am at Farmington Presbyterian Church in Germantown, TN. Family and friends are invited back to the Bradham’s home for an Open House afterwards to celebrate his life until 4pm. The family suggests that memorials may be sent to Pinecrest Camp & Retreat Center (P.O. Box 36, LaGrange, TN 38046 camppinecrest.org), The Mid-South Food Bank (midsouthfoodbank.org) or a charity of one’s choice.
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