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Dr. Harold Absher, Jr. peacefully passed away at his home on August 9, 2017. Harold was born on May 7, 1939 to Sue and Harold Absher. Member of Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church. Harold attended Blacksburg High School Class, of 1957. Harold received a Bachelor Degree from Emory and Henry College, a Master's Degree from Radford University and an Educational Doctorate from Virginia Tech. He was a Coach, Teacher, Principal, School Superintendent, and Student Teacher Supervisor. Harold had a servant's heart. His loving service was warmly evident in his contributions to his community, church and neighborhood. He is preceded in death by his parents, in laws, Frank and Sallie Faris. Survived by his wife of 55 years Linda Faris Absher; 3 daughters and son in-laws, Teresa and Scott Brookman of Dublin, VA, Sherry and Tony Mitchell of Talbott, TN, Christy and Andy Munsey of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Tyler, Carter, Lauren, William, Abby, Linzee, Harrison and Jackson; sisters, Wanda Croy and husband William, Nadine Price; In laws, Penny Kanney and husband Doug. The family will receive friends from 1 – 2 pm Saturday at Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church, 7753 Oak Ride Hwy with a memorial service to follow. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Beaver Ridge Methodist Family Life Center Fund. Condolences may be offered at www.berrylynnhurst.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home & Lynnhurst Cemetery.
August 16, 2017
Linda and Family,
We just received word over the weekend of your loss. Harold was such a WONDERFUL man! He was always so kind to us at church. He will be missed very much .
John and Karen Hackworth
August 14, 2017
Curtis Absher
August 14, 2017
curtis Absher
August 14, 2017
Jim Hall
Linda, we are so sorry for your loss. Harold will truly be missed at our HHS 59 events.
August 13, 2017
roy bond
August 13, 2017
Louise Shipwash
Linda, I'm so sorry for this great loss in your life, but you have so many great memories to lean on. Harold was a gentle soul and a giant among men. You two created a wonderful family to help support you and always, wherever you lived, you joined and led a Christian family.
From the time we were young and played paper dolls and made mud pies, you always made better decisions than I did. What an extraordinary, perfect decision you made when you picked Harold for your life-partner!!
My love and prayers always,
Louise
August 12, 2017
Dick Moore
"Junie" (after Jr.) and I played baseball together at Blacksburg High School in 1956-57. I never saw him again after graduation, but remember him as an excellent athlete, a great teammate, a super nice guy, and someone who was mature beyond his years. I miss him but will never forget him.
August 12, 2017
Linda and family, so sorry about Harold.I think about you two real often.You were and still is a very special family to me and John. Love you Linda.
August 12, 2017
Robbie Floyd
Deepest condolences to Coach Absher's family. I remember him well for his guidance and instruction as my 8th grade basketball coach and Civics teacher at Parry McCluer high school in 1966.
August 12, 2017
Linda, so sorry about Harold, fond memories of you two at PMHS, he was a great teacher and you as our cheerleading coach. Much love to you and family. Nancy Loughhead Dickinson 1966
August 12, 2017
Harold was a great teacher and coach and also a strong Christian guiding force for the youth of our church in Buena Vista. I also knew him as a friend when I visited his family while they lived in Radford and as a mentor when I taught and coached. We have lost a good man. Prayers for this family.
Tom Hedrick
August 12, 2017
Martha Harmon
Dear Linda and familY, I'm so sorry for your loss. We , HHS class of 59, embraced Harold as one of our own. We always looked forward to seeing both of you at our class luncheons. Last October as we were leaving Harold came by me and made the sweetest comment. "I sure missed Bob today" . Bob had passed away 6 month prior and they loved to talk football. Harold was one of the nicest people I ever met.
August 12, 2017
Doug Fitzpatrick
Dear Linda, family and friends,
We are so sorry for your loss. Harold was greatly loved by a whole lot of people all across Virginia and Tennessee. Harold was one terrific High School Football Coach. He always put people at ease when they were in his presence. He had his signature frequent grin available at just the right moment to compliment his neat sense of humor.
Most importantly of all, Harold was so loved for being such a warm, gentle soul. Way to go Harold; you did just great! Thank you Jesus for the outstanding life of our beloved Harold Absher!
Sincerely yours,
Doug Fitzpatrick,
Radford, Virginia
August 12, 2017
Mike Henson
My heart felt sympathies. Coach Absher was a wonderful teacher, coach & friend. I am extremely thankful that he was apart of my life. I am much richer for his presence. My prays are with the family.
Mike Henson
August 12, 2017
SFC Linda H. Deyton, USA, Ret.
I remember you as my Social Studies teacher in the 8th grade and as a football coach at Parry McCluer High School. Great teacher and Coach!
August 12, 2017
Lynn Mills
Remembering one of the great (and favorite) teachers.
Lynn Balser Mills
Parry McCluer High School
Class of 1968
Buena Vista VA
August 11, 2017
Suzanne Price Jones
I will surely miss Harold. We have been friends since our high school days. Suzie Jones, BHS Class of 1958.
August 11, 2017
Absher family, Deepest sympathy for your loss.
August 11, 2017
Tammy Massey
Linda, we will miss Harold's hugs, voice of wisdom and giggles. I cherish the times you both have made me and my children's walk in faith stronger and the opportunities you both took to ask my boys to be a part of greater Christian steps. Harold was a great initiator for the next step he saw in each of my boys to take in their faith. He will be so missed. He was a great leader for all.
August 11, 2017
Bert & Maggie Smalley
Linda and family, We are so very sorry for your loss and we grieve with you. Harold will certainly be sorely missed! He was a ray of light and just spread goodness everywhere he went. We can all learn from his great example. Much love and prayers in this most difficult time.
August 11, 2017
Zeb and Carolyn Thompson
Linda and family,
We are so sorry for you and your entire family's loss! Harold was a wonderful man and was always so kind to our family! We want you all to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers! Sending prayers for peace and comfort.
Love and sympathy,
Zeb and Carolyn Thompson
Curtis and Sheri Thompson and family
Diane Marion and family
Scott and Jennifer Shartzer and family
August 11, 2017
Marisa Moazen
Linda and family,
Harold's light will continue to shine through the impression he left on everyone who met him. We will miss him and mourn this loss with you.
August 11, 2017
Joe Mannon
Coach Absher was a true friend to all that knew him. I met him when he was coaching at Radford High School, and I was keeping statistics for him. He created the All American Relays in Radford, and had some outstanding football teams. We had some wonderful conversations in the last year, and I treasure those talks, and his friendship. My prayers are for Linda and the entire family as you have moments to remember, and cherish, your lives together.
August 11, 2017
Linda,
I am so sorry for your loss. Harold's life was a positive Christian example, reflecting Christ's love to others. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Sharon Wagner
August 11, 2017
Linda,
I am so sorry for your loss. Harold's life was a positive Christian example, reflecting Christ's love to others. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Sharon Wagner
August 11, 2017
Todd Bruce
This type of loss is not easily forgotten. I grew up with the Absher family in Radford, as well as having Dr. Absher as my principal. I have nothing but good memories of both! As the circle of life keeps turning, God Bless to each and every member of this great family!
August 11, 2017
Janet Croy
Dear Linda and extended family. We are so sorry to hear of "Junie's" passing. We will miss him so much. The class reunion will not be the same. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Faye Croy
Janet Croy
August 11, 2017
Kasey Kahm
Harold was a perfect example of how a true Christian should live and such a constant in our church family. We are blessed to have been able to raise our children at Beaver Ridge UMC with such a sweet, humble role model. They have learned from Harold that it only takes a smile and a hug to change someone's day. We could all learn from the way this man lived his life.
August 11, 2017
Anna Allred-Haney
My heart goes out to Sherry and the rest of the family at this time. Prayers for peace and comfort.
August 11, 2017
Donetta Dunbar
I met Dr. Absher when he was Superintendent of Giles County Public Schools. He was always kind to me and treated me with respect. It was a joy and pleasure working with him. I am praying for his family (especially his sweet wife, Linda), that the Lord will comfort and sustain them, and carry them through the sadness. Til we meet again, Dr. Absher!!!
August 11, 2017
Pam & Glenn Stewart
My heartfelt love and prayers go out to Linda and the family. Harold was one of the most loving, faith-filled men I have ever met. Always smiling and always a joy to be around. He will be missed. Our love to Linda and girls. We will always remember him with a smile. Much Love and many prayers.
August 11, 2017
Albert Kelley
We are so sorry for your loss. We only knew him a short time and we thought a lot of him and his sweet wife. God bless you!
August 10, 2017
Curtis Absher
August 10, 2017
Curtis Absher
Junior, as I always knew him was a man of integrity. He was a year ahead of me and was an all round athlete. I knew him best as a football player. He was the left handed quarterback that led our team to a a winning season his senior year. I played in the line and was know by the team and eventually the whole school as "Cuz." That pleased me since that meant Junior was my benchmark. We had some good athletes but not all were of the highest character--But Jr. had both athletic ability and an exemplary character. His humor and patience made him a magnet to people. For years, when the BHS class of 1957 had a function, Harold ,Jr. was asked to be the MC. Late in his career as an educator he had some difficult situations in school districts that he served as superintendent. Because of his deep commitment to education he had to take some unpopular stands.
We could go for years without contact but when we would get together it was as if we'd talked the day before. There were quite a few Absher cousins that followed Harold Jr. at BHS. I think we all benefitted by being Harold, Jr's cousin.
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