John Marshall Harlan

1956 – 2020

John Marshall Harlan was born in Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas on July 18, 1956. John went to be with the Lord at age 64 on December 13, 2020, in Cypress, Texas after a 2-year bout with cancer.

As a child, John loved to cook and garden.  As a Teenager, he was the Head Chef for the skyboxes at the Astro Domain. He was a gourmet cook and could cook any quantity of food very well.

He would say in his later years that he hoped when he went to Heaven, he would be a gardener and soldier for the Lord.  He certainly had a green thumb planting beautiful gardens here, and he hoped to fight one day in the battle of Armageddon.

John was funny, and kind, and handsome, and bigger than life standing 6' 7" tall.  He had a heart as big as Texas and would often help strangers in need.

One of his favorite stories to tell was when he was in the checkout line at a grocery store and encountered a frustrated grandfather with a screaming granddaughter.  John asked the grandfather if he could touch his hand (this was pre-COVID), and the grandfather said "yes".  John then touched the top of his hand and encouraged him to get on the floor with his granddaughter, hold her hands, and gently explain to her that the reason he was raising his voice with her was that he was afraid she was going to get hurt.  The grandfather did exactly that.  Later, when John was taking his groceries out to the car, he saw the grandfather and granddaughter holding hands, skipping, and singing "Off to See the Wizard".

John also seemed to have a ministry at M. D. Anderson where he was being treated for cancer.  Many times, distraught patients and their caregivers were drawn to him for words of encouragement and support.  He explained to them that he saw life as a journey and death as nothing to fear.

John served in the Episcopal Church many times throughout his life.  As a young boy, he was an Acolyte, and he helped with the Special Education class at his church.  As a man, he was the Coordinator for the Interfaith Hospitality Ministry at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church.  Later in life, he was an Usher for St. Martin's Episcopal Church.

Two of his greatest honors were when he was asked by St. Martin's to be an Usher and stand in the Reposes of the late President Herbert Walker Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.

Professionally, John was an accomplished Senior Financial Advisor and experienced Broker with 25+ years in the Financial Services industry.

John is preceded in death by both of his parents, Orville and Myrna Harlan.  He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Carole, and son, Travis Harlan and his wife Elizabeth and grandson, Noah. He also leaves behind his sister, Jan Mattenson, her husband Kris, and their daughter, Lindsey.