Dennis Harke Obituary

Dennis passed away peacefully on September 23rd in Greenville, SC, after a valiant journey with acute myeloid leukemia. Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Phyllis; his children, Todd and wife Alli of Atlanta, GA, Jane Payne and husband Davis of Greenville, SC, Lynne Perry and husband Jay of Charlotte, NC; his grandchildren, Allison Housley and husband Wilson, Lydia Payne, McRae, Zach, Max and Jane Campbell Perry, Reid and Olivia Harke; great-grandson, Bryson Housley; and brother, Ron Harke, of St. Louis, MO. Born on January 15th, 1943, in St. Louis, MO, Dennis graduated from Lindbergh High School in 1961 and Southeast Missouri State University in 1965. Shortly after graduation, he attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA, and in May 1966 was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Upon commissioning Dennis attended Naval Flight Officer School in Pensacola Fla., Basic Jet Navigation School at Glynco, GA, and Bombardier Navigator School in Sanford, FL. In April 1967 he earned his wings and was designated a Naval Flight Officer. Upon completion of training at Cherry Point, NC, he was assigned to the Republic of Vietnam, where he participated in counter-insurgency operations with the First Marine Aircraft Wing, Chu Lai, and the Third Marine Division, Dong Ha. Upon returning from Vietnam and after a short stint with the Marine Reserves, Dennis returned to active duty with the Second Marine Aircraft Wing where he held multiple command positions. During his 26-year career in the Marine Corps, Dennis served in Washington, DC, Iwakuni and Okinawa, Japan, and Cherry Point. He rose to the rank of Colonel in May 1989 and retired in June 1992. In 1973 Dennis and Phyllis found a home in New Bern, NC, while serving in the Marine Corps. Dennis was very active in the community, notably at First Presbyterian Church. In June 1992 Dennis became General Manager of Eastern Building Components, from which he retired in 2009. Dennis loved living in the historical town of New Bern, raising his family there and enjoying the outdoors and all his friends. Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful wife, family, and friends. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at John Knox Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, November 7, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, NC, his final resting place. The family requests donations in memory of Dennis Harke be directed to John Knox Presbyterian Church, 35 Shannon Drive, Greenville, SC 29615 or First Presbyterian Church, 400 New Street, New Bern, NC 28560. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.