Roy Clarence Harless

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The 1918 Spanish Influenza Pandemic ravaged the world in a way man had not seen in generations. One of the few truly worldwide pandemics, the 1918 Spanish Influenza Pandemic claimed an estimated 50-100 million deaths worldwide(1). This number is more than both world wars combined. In 1918, Spring Hill Cemetery was one of the primary cemeteries for Huntington, West Virginia. As such, a number of victims from the Spanish Influenza Pandemic are buried here. The Spanish Influenza hit Huntington fairly hard with 200 deaths, most of which occurring in the month of October(2). Even Huntington's Mayor, Leon S. Wiles, perished from the flu. On this tour, you will visit 17 gravesites of Huntington residents who perished from the Spanish Influenza Pandemic. Please keep in mind during the tour that you are visiting the final resting places of these people. Please treat all graves and the cemetery with the utmost respect and courtesy. Do your best not to step on top of a person’s final resting place and follow all posted rules.

Images

Grave Marker of Roy C. Harless

Grave marker reading "ROY C. HARLESS 1897-1918"

Image of Roy C. Harless

Marriage Certificate of Roy C. Harless

Enlistment Form of Roy C. Harless

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Roy C Harless was a sailor and was the first person on our tour to perish from the Spanish Influenza. Roy enlisted on July 17th of 1918, leaving behind his pregnant wife Rhonda. When news came that Roy was sick, Rhonda had just given birth and was ill from unknown causes. She had not yet named their son, as she wanted him to name his boy. Unfortunately, Roy succumbed to his illness and was never able to meet his son. Rhonda Harless made a recovery and decided to name the child after his father. Roy C. Harless Jr. went on to carry out his father's legacy by enlisting during World War II. Roy Jr's son, Wayne, also carried on the family tradition and joined the air force. The Harless family had three generations of soldiers who fought for our country. Roy C. Harless Sr. passed away on September 24th, 1918 at the age of 21. He was the son of Joseph W Harless and Zena C Harless.

Sources

Spreeuwenberg, Peter. Reassessing the Global Mortality Burden of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. American Journal of Epidemiology, ser. 2561-2567, vol. 187, no. 12. Published September 7th 2018. NCBI.
Casto, James E.. "Deadly 1918 flu hit Huntington hard." The Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) May 1st 2009.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156339998/roy-c-harless

https://cabellwwi.wordpress.com/soldiers/dedication-list/harless-roy-c/

http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcdetail.aspx?Id=10334971

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYY1-6XS?i=1780&cc=1968530