Walter E. Harkey, known to many as J.R., age 82, former resident of Dardanelle, Arkansas, was born on April 24, 1943. He passed away on January 5, 2026 at Clinton Rehab and Nursing Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Walter was born to the late Walter J. Harkey and Kate Harkey and was raised in Plainview, Arkansas alongside three sisters and one brother.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle who deeply cherished his family.
A man of strong faith, Walter loved God and was devoted to his Pentecostal beliefs. He had a special love for his wife and family that showed in everything he did. He enjoyed fishing and had a passion for collecting "junk" and making it new again. Walter's sense of humor kept everyone laughing, and a fond family memory was him singing "You gotta know when to hold 'em" during card games.

Walter loved sitting on his porch with a bag of pecans, feeding the squirrels right out of his hand. He was always very particular about his hair—so much so that as a child, he sold GRIT newspapers to save money for haircuts. Even with age and little hair left, he never missed getting his "two or three hairs" cut.
Walter will be greatly missed and always remembered.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mae Harkey of Dardanelle, Arkansas; his only biological son Wally Dee Harkey of Clinton, Missouri. his brother, Lamar Harkey his sister Edna Faye Adkins, his sister Rebecca Hodges of Missouri; and a bonus granddaughter, Angela Reed, and her three daughters.

He is survived by his sister, Rachel Grant; four bonus children: Margaret Terrell, Donna Gaddy, Karla Foshee (Dale), and Kim Reeves (Tony); and his grandchildren: Roger Harkey (Rene), Kimberly Shackles(Jason), Melissa Harkey, Jolene Harkey, Ashley Hernandez (Antonio), Nikki Reed, Justin Khanhthamany, Nathan Reeves, Kelly Clark, Sarah Beck, Kayla Willis, and Kaitlyn Willis, along with many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00P.M Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Cornwell Funeral Chapel in Dardanelle. Visitation will be held Saturday, 1:00P.M. to 2:00P.M. at the chapel prior to the service. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery in Plainview.

Pallbearers will be Roger Harkey, Justin Khanthmany, Dale Foshee, Hunter Mcnutt
Melvin Johnsgard, and Keith Willis.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle.

Online condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes