Published: June 06, 2008 03:41 am            

Harlin Ray Midkiff

Services for Harlin Ray “Boogar Red” Midkiff, 68, of Holly Lake Ranch were held at 11 a.m. today at Holly Brook Baptist Church with Dr. Guy McGraw, the Rev. Larry Taylor and the Rev. Mike Midkiff officiating. Burial followed in Holly Tree Cemetery under the direction of Beaty Funeral Home of Hawkins.

Mr. Midkiff died June 3, 2008 in Tyler after a courageous battle with cancer and under the excellent care of Hospice of East Texas.

He was born April 29, 1941, in Huntsville to the late Elton Lee and Lula Blanche Brown Midkiff.

Harlin was a graduate of Palestine High School where he was a stellar athlete, competed in the state track meet two times, and signed a football scholarship with Texas A&M. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan Leslie Jeffcoat, on April 15, 1960.

Harlin retired from Halliburton Services in 1993 as North Texas district manager at the Jacksboro camp. He started to work for Halliburton in Palestine, with stops in Tripoli, Libya, Abilene, Kilgore, and Jacksboro, during his 33 year Halliburton career. When the oil field needed experienced hands, he came out of retirement in 2006 to work as a consultant for West Mountain Operating Company in Longview.

For the past 14 years, Harlin lived at Holly Lake Ranch enjoying his retirement with his wife of 48 years where they both served the Lord Jesus Christ as members of Holly Brook Baptist Church. He was a deacon and loved helping with church construction projects, cooking at the monthly men's breakfast and being a sound operator during worship services.

Harlin and Joan went on many mission trips together going to places like Brazil, Hawaii, Wales, Mexico, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Alaska. He helped the Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief Team serve meals in the Beaumont area after Hurricane Rita.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Blanche Midkiff; a brother, Herbert Lee Midkiff; and a grandson, Alexander Lee Midkiff.

Harlin is survived by his wife, Joan Leslie Jeffcoat Midkiff of Holly Lake Ranch; son and daughter-in-law, Michael Ray and Marianne Midkiff of Marshall; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Jaye and Matt Hansen, of Plano; sister and her husband, Hilda Fay and Floyd Adams of Centerville; brother and his wife, Harold Glynn and LaJauna Midkiff of Yantis; grandchildren, Alison Jaye, Andrew Michael and Ashton Ray Midkiff of Marshall, Morgan Elizabeth, Madison Rae, and Mitchell Anthony Hansen of Plano; and many nieces and nephews.

        

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