of Leslie, AR
February 27, 1943 - November 22, 2022
Harlie Russell Treat, age 79 of Leslie, Arkansas passed from this life on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 at his home. He was born on February 27th, 1943 to William Luther Treat and Eula Evelyn Rains Treat.
He graduated from Leslie High School in 1961. Prior to graduation, he enlisted in the National Guard at age 17 as a member of a Service Battery. He transferred from the National Guard to enter into Active Duty in the Army in 1964. On March 9, 1963, he married Mary Lee Shepherd. To this union, three children were born: Sandra, Harlie Jr and Amanda. He attended Arkansas Tech University and obtained a degree in Biological Life Science. He continued his career in the military, where he had a variety of duty positions and had many accomplishments. Some of those included being a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne and he was Pathfinder qualified. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge and he was a Drill Sergeant. He went to Officer Candidate School and received his commission in 1967. He served as a Platoon leader, Company Commander and later a staff officer. He was an instructor at Jungle Warfare School, Infantry Instructor USA Field Artillery School and an Instructor at the ROTC Department at Texas Tech University. In 1983, Harlie concluded his military career as an Assistant Inspector General in Fort Stewart, GA, retiring with the rank of Major after 20 years of Active Duty Service in the Army. After retirement, he moved his family back to his hometown of Leslie. He went back to school at UCA and obtained his teaching degree and a master's degree in Counseling. He worked at Guy Perkins School for half of a semester and then went to work at Witts Springs. He then went to work at Leslie High School, where he taught history and science and then he became the guidance counselor. He retired from Leslie High School in 2005 due to being recalled back to Active Duty. In 2005, 22 years after his retirement, at the age of 62, he was recalled to Active Duty in the Army to again serve his country. He was deployed to Afghanistan for a tour of duty lasting over a year to serve as Assistant Inspector General. Harlie retired again from the military in 2006. He received numerous awards and citations, including the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Harlie enjoyed working on his farm, tending to his cows, chickens and goose. He enjoyed operating his John Deere tractor and piddling in his shop. He enjoyed getting together with friends and family, visiting, singing and playing the guitar. He spent a great deal of time studying genealogy. He worked countless hours volunteering his time with the Leslie VFW, The American Legion, Wiley's Cove Masonic Lodge, the Veteran's Memorial Hall, Woodman Life, Boy's State, the Leslie Alumni Association, the Military Officers Association of Arkansas and the local schools. He received the Leslie Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011. He was the past president of the local Woodman Life Chapter. He served on the Board of the local Farm Bureau for many years, where he was president from 1998 to 2009. He was involved with the Veteran's Coalition for years, working with many state government officials. He was the superintendent, song leader, and Sunday school teacher of the Nubbin Hill Community Church. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandson and his great grand kids, giving them Cowtails candy and ice cream, which he happily shared with them.
Harlie is preceded in death by his parents, William Luther Treat and Eula Evelyn Rains Treat; his brother, Hubert Treat; his sister, Corine Boyd; his son in law, Jimmie Ragland; his nephew, Mark Drewry and his cousin, JB Treat.
Harlie is survived by his wife, Mary Treat of the home; daughter, Sandra (Warren) Hill; son, Harlie Treat Jr both of Leslie; daughter, Amanda Treat of North Little Rock; one sister, Cratie Treat of Leslie; brother in law, James Shepherd; grandson, David Ragland of Leslie; great grandchildren, Ashton and Autumn Ragland and numerous nephews, nieces, friends and family.
Funeral services for Harlie will be 2:00 PM Saturday, November 26th, 2022 at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Marshall, Arkansas with Bro. Joe Dale Williams and Bro. Anthony DeVore officiating. Visitation will be 1:00 till 2:00 PM preceding the service. Burial will follow in Nubbin Hill Cemetery where Harlie will be laid to rest with Military and Masonic honors. Bearers will be David Ragland, Rodney Treat, Zack Treat, Joshua Lovett, Tim Drewry and Jess Drewry. Honorary bearers will be VFW Post #12127, American Legion #131 and Wiley's Cove Masonic Lodge members.
Mary, Sandra and Amanda~
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Treat's passing... He was such a kind man who always wore a smile and said Hello!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time...
Shawna
Mary Lee so sorry to see where Harlie died you got my sincere codolemce. I lost katala in Jun. I am living now in Fayetteville with my son and daugther-In law lots of love bob
I had the wonderful privilege of working with Harlie Treat. He was an active member of WoodmenLife Marshall Chapter 1428 for many years. He served as a chapter officer and as a Jurisdictional Officer. I remember the first time I met him. I liked him immediately. He was so gentlemanly and pleasant to talk with. Through meeting him, I also got to know his wonderful family. I am still saddened to think of his passing and will miss him greatly, but am so grateful that I got to know him and thankful for all the amazing contributions he made for his family, community and country. On behalf of WoodmenLife, our sincerest condolences.
Kindest regards, Melissa Godfrey, WoodmenLife Community Outreach Advisor.
May God be with you and carry through this loss in your family
Gerald Rains
So sorry for your loss, Mary . You have been one of my heroes all my life. Prayers for you and all your family
RIP Major. Your tour of duty is complete.
On behalf of the 101st Abn. Div. Vietnam Veterans organization I want to extend our condolences to the family of Harlie Treat. We are sorry to learn of his passing; he will be missed by all in the group. We are certainly a Band of Brothers who fought together in Vietnam and we mourn for the loss of Harlie. May God bless you during this time.
Our deepest condolences in this sad time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your lost 💔 Did not know Harlie but we had communicated in the recent years and he always sent Christmas cards!! My grandmother was Nova Treat Curtis Robertson who lived in Leslie and I grew up in Leslie and Dennard!!
I always looked forward to his communications!! Prayers for all the family ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™
So sorry to hear of Harlie ‘s passing , I really enjoyed the Treat reunions, Harlie will be missed by so many; although Heaven will be rejoicing, to welcome him home. Prayers and love to all family and friends.
Our hearts and prayers are with the family. Harlie was a true patriarch of the Treat Family in Arkansas. His warmth and commitment to others was infectious. We looked forward to coming to the reunions every year to hear the stories and fellowship. We are so thankful that we got to know him. He will truly be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you
My condolences to Mary and all the family. Harlie was a super patriot, a good friend, and fellow veteran. We will deeply miss his friendship, laughter, and his leadership! We shared Treat blood and a lot of enjoyable conversation! His contributions were huge, thus the depth of our loss. God's love upon all who grieve.
May the Lord be gracious to this family in its time of mourning. I could not ask for a better friend. As a fellow veteran, we had many long conversations about life and liberty. He had a wonderful attitude and way of making you feel good when you needed a lift. It was a joy to know him.
We are so sorry to hear of Harlie passing. Wonderful memories with everyone at Nubbin Hill.
The Wolfingtons
I did not have the pleasure of meeting Harley until my dad’s health was getting bad. Before he passed he wanted me to meet Harley to learn about who we are and where we came from. He and Mary invited Maggie and I to stay a couple times. Harley and I would talk all night into the next morning, I felt like I knew him all my life. Spending time with Harley after my dad passed helped a lot during a rough time. He is the most genuine person I have known.
Mary and Amanda, I am sorry for your loss. I remember fondly those years of working with you and Harlie at LHS. He always had a funny story at lunch time and drove the UCA people crazy by picking on them and bragging on Ark Tech. He was one of a kind. I wish your family peace. Your friend, Randy
He will be remembered fondly.
Mary Lee and family. I am still in shock and so sorry to hear of Harlie's death. He will be missed by all of us. Friends, family and classmates alike. He was loved by all. Prayers that God will comfort you and help you remember the good times! Love to all! Mary
Harlie has always seemed more like a brother to me, than a cousin. Without a doubt, he will be missed by many. To Mary Lee, Russell, Amanda and Sandra: Dean and I love you all and will be praying that God will comfort you in the days ahead.
So sorry to hear this. He was my science teacher at Witts Springs and was always one of my favorite teachers.
We are sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. May your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead.
Will miss him so much!
To all the family my thoughts and prayers!
He had a beautiful life!
Lila
It was an incredible honor to call Harlie a close friend. What a great military man and what a great person, guidance councilor to many young and older people, and just an all around superb individual. If we could all be half the person Harlie was this would be a far better world. My deepest condolences to Mary and all his family. Jack Buffington, Rear Admiral, CEC, USN (Retired).
My condolences to Mary and the family. Harlie and I sat many long hours operating the 160th Aviation Group's tactical operations center in Vietnam. We worked very well together and shared many experiences, some good and some bad, but we made it through. No matter how bad the situation might have been, Harlie's Arkansas humor was there to ease the situation.
I learned a lot about the art of soldiering from Harlie and considered him a very good friend.
Later, when Harlie was in Afghanistan, we "talked" almost nightly via emails.
So, Rest In Peace, Harlie and we will meet again someday. AIRBORNE, AIR ASSAULT SIR!!!
Craig Gillis
Major, Infantry, USAR (Ret.)
Harlie Treat always stood proud and tall no matter what life dealt him. He served the military, his church, his community, and his family and friends with the utmost dignity and pride no matter what journey he embarked on.
May God wrap His loving arms around the family and comfort them as only He can do. Love you all Harold Young
i ONLY KNEW HARLIE THROUGH EMAILS, MEETING HIM THROUGH TWO OF HIS FRIENDS, CRAIG GILLIS AND WENDELL BREEDLOVE. I ENJOYED HIS FELLOWSHIP AND WISE COUNCIL. I WILL MISS YOU HARLIE, REST IN PEACE, DEAR BROTHER. "AIR ASSAULT, SIR."
I’m so sorry for your loss. Harley was a great guy and very giving to his community. There will be a hole left where he once stood. Many prayers to you all!
PRAYER FOR THE TREAT FAMILY. WE ENJOYED COMING TO NUBBIN HILL CHURCH AND VISITING WITH BRO. HARLIE AND ALL OF YOU. HE WILL SURE BE MISSED BY ALL BUT KNOW THAT WE ALL SHALL MET AGAIN. PRAYERS FOR MARY AND THE WHOLE FAMILY. MAY GOD BLESS.
I served with Harlie in Viet Nam 1969-1970, and GOD didn’t make a better man. We have stayed in touch since then. Always looked forward to his wonderful Christmas letters describing his busy year and about Mary and the rest of the family. Prayers for the family. ðŸ™ðŸ™
To the family,
I’m so sorry for your loss.. Prayers
for peace and comfort during this
most difficult time..
To the family,
I’m so sorry for your loss.. Prayers
for peace and comfort during this
most difficult time..
So sorry to hear of Harlie's passing. He was like a brother to me. I have so many fond memories of him growing up. Jay, Louise, Linda, and I did a lot of things with Harlie. He sent me emails that always brightened my day. Harlie never failed to send me a card for every special occasion.
Mary, Sandra, Russell and Amanda we are praying for you.
Mary and family,
I’m so sorry. Harlie was such a kindhearted man and I respected him so much. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
My heart is with you all. I know how very much he will be missed. I am praying for all of you and send all my love â¤ï¸ðŸ™
My deepest condolences ðŸ’
Sandra and families, we are sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.â€
-Psalm 116:15
Brother Harlie was a great Sunday School teacher and song leader. He will be missed at Nubbin Hill and Searcy County.
Thank you for your many years to service to our country.
Oh Mary, I’m so sorry to hear of Harlie’s passing. He was such a good man. Prayers for you and the kids. Love you.
Your loss is a great one and I am so sorry for this family. My prayers and love are with you all. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him
such a treasure of a man! that will be greatly missed!
until reading his obit, i never knew just how much of a treasure he was! didn't know him well in life, but did always enjoy talking with him at Nubbin Hill decorations and when he'd visit my Rains family member and funeral... a cousin to be admired and wow! how much that he was so humble about, i never knew. so sorry for such a loss but how Heaven is coming more and more desired!!! first and foremost, for Christ Jesus! but many too many loved ones as well!!!
prayers!!! may God bless you all in the memories!
My Prayers are with the family.
What a great loss to the family, and to our country. What a great gain for heaven. Harlie sure will be missed on Nubbin Hill. We pray for the family and send our love. May God give you strength to carry on, knowing that is what Harlie would want. We love each and every one of you.
Betty and Ray
So sorry to hear about Harley may God comfort as only he can I will be praying for all of you
Mary and kids, we are very sorry for your loss. Harlie was a good man and a lifelong friend of ours, we went to school together. Harlie came from a good family, his mom and dad were wonderful people as was his brother and sisters. He will be missed by lots
Mary and Family,
i am sorry for your loss. Harley waa a great man, i know he will be missed and loved by many.
Judi Morgan
Please accept my condolences, and prayers to the family. What a wonderful man! I so enjoyed hearing the stories of my Mom’s side of the family, and learning about the area of her early childhood.
He will be truly missed.
Rest in peace, Harley, and thank you for the remembrances of my husband, Roger Vickers, with whom you attended OCS at Fort Benning. My condolences to the family.
We visited the Nubbin Hills Church on several occasion and were treated just like family. Harlie was teaching Sunday school, we received a blessing from his lesson. We are sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry for your loss
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Prayers and sympathy.
I am so sorry to hear of Harlie’s passing. He was such a good and kind man. My prayers are with your family.
FAMILY, HARLIE AND I WERE IN LESLIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LATE 1940's ~'50. AS SEVERAL OTHER CLASSMATES BACK THEN, WE HAVE FOUND EACH OTHER HERE ON FACEBOOK. AMAZING WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS IN COMMON. WE ARE BOTH BROTHERS VIA THE MASONIC LODGE, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, CHRISTIANS, SAME CONSERVATIVE BELIEFS. I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN OF HIS PASSING. PRAYERS FOR COMFORT GO FORTH TO ALL HIS FAMILY AND LOVED ONES. SALUTE MAJOR TREET !
I served with Harlie in Afghanistan in 2005, and we instantly became friends. He was a hero to me, and a man that I greatly admired. We stayed in touch all of these years and I will miss him. Thoughts and prayers for Mary, and all of the family. I will see you again, on the other side my Brother.
Sending deepest sympathy on the passing of Harlie. I am so thankful that Doyle and I were able to visit with Harlie and Mary
in their home a few weeks ago. He was the Treat family historian and will be missed by many. Sending our prayers for Mary and family.
Harlow and I graduated from Infantry OCS together. He was admired by both classmates and Cadre. He will be remembered as a hero
Praying for the family of Harlie Treat. He was a good man. I’m so sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
My sincere condolences!
Karen K Knight, USAF MSgt Retired