John Earl Harcrow, 89, of Sweet Home, passed away December 8, 2022 after a 3-year battle with cancer. Earl was born October 23, 1933 in Glover, Oklahoma to John Robert and Lois Lucille (Mullens) Harcrow. He was the oldest child, and the only son, born to them. 

He spent his childhood in Glover until his family moved to Sweet Home in 1946. He attended Foster School and Sweet Home High School. Earl married Elaine Nicholson on his 20th birthday in 1953. They recently celebrated 69 years of marriage. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling, reading, and spending time with his family.

Except for 4 years in the 1950s when he worked in oil fields and lumber mills out of state, Earl lived in Sweet Home his entire adult life.  He began working for Bauman Sawmill in Foster in 1955, which was later purchased by Willamette Industries. He worked for the company for 32 years, retiring as a supervisor in 1991. 

Earl accepted Jesus as his Lord in 1971 and followed God faithfully for the rest of his life. He was a member of Waterloo Chapel, where he served as a deacon for 13 years. He was known for his passion for helping the elderly and widowed members of the church. 

Earl and Elaine loved to travel, especially to visit historical sites related to western history. In 2000, after visiting many areas, they decided they loved the warmth of the south and began spending winters in Yuma, Arizona. In 2004, they purchased and developed property in the Foothills area of Yuma, where they lived as “snowbirds” each winter. 

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; two daughters, Karen (Albert) Niemi of Sweet Home and Peggy (Doug) Emmert of Sublimity, OR; two sons Duane (Lisa) Harcrow of El Dorado Hills, CA and Mike of Sweet Home; 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.  Also surviving him are sisters Patti Vandiver of Vancouver, WA, Betty Webb and Glenda (Mike) Melcher, both of Sweet Home, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Gaye Harcrow Huerta; and sister Doris Gwen Vanden Bos.

Viewing will be 4 – 6 pm Thursday December 15th at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be 11 am Friday December 16th at Community Chapel 42250 Ames Creek Rd, Sweet Home, OR 97386. Final burial will take place at Gilliland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation for cancer care. The online link for information is www.samhealth.org/giving/our-foundations/donate-to-good-samaritan-hospital-foundation. In the Designation box, click and choose Cancer Care. Or mail to 3600 NW Samaritan Drive, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. For updated information, visit www.sweethomefuneral.com