Harry Wells, born April 22, 1934, passed away quietly on May 21, 2014 with loving family members present. Harry was the son of James Washington and Mary Alice Wells and the youngest of twelve siblings. Born in a one room cabin in what is now Mammoth Cave National Park, Harry left home at age eleven and worked his way through the post-World War II years fending for himself until he joined the Army at age fourteen, where he would have his first three square meals a day and a new shirt on his back. He later re-enlisted in the Air Force at age 16 and served as a non-commissioned officer until he volunteered for duty in Vietnam and was commissioned a Chief Warrant Officer and, amongst many medals, was awarded the Bronze Star and Air Medal with clusters. Harry Wells retired from the Army after having served in the Armed Forces twenty-four years.
Harry Wells was married forty years to his lovely wife, Irene Quinn Wells. Harry and Irene were loving parents to their children; Steve Rennirt (wife Carol), Jeff Wells, and Wendy Eby. They also have 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Harry will be remembered for being a kind and loving man who shared much of his time helping others, telling interesting stories and always having the desire to learn something new. He was boyish in his endeavors building from scratch wooden cars, bird houses, dog houses and even the wonders of the internet in his later years.
Harry was a military man through and through. When asked why he volunteered for service in Vietnam he said that he would not feel like a complete soldier unless he put his life on the line for his country. He had 6 brothers that served during World War II and he wanted his brothers to be proud of him.
Harry Wells is a Lifetime member of VFW post 1181, a Kentucky Colonel, a member of the Masonic Lodge Grandview Lodge, Independence, Missouri, and he and Irene loved traveling around the country with Toby tours and attending the wonderful country music shows in the area.
Harry lived a wonderful and very fulfilled life. You can read more about Harry’s boyhood experiences in a wonderful blog on the internet at HarryWells.Blogspot.com His funeral will be 1pm Saturday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Hwy, with burial at Bethany Cemetery. Visitation will be 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.