Harry Thomas Comer

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Harry Thomas Comer, 79, of Airport Road, Bluefield, WV, passed away Saturday, October 10, 2020.

Born on August 20, 1941 in Maybeury, WV Son of Edward L. Comer and Eva Sexton Comer. Harry was a graduate of Northfork-Elkhorn High School, class of 1960, was a member of the Band, played football, basketball, & baseball. Active on the "Fabulous Fifties" reunion planning committee. He entered the Army National Guard October 26, 1959, serving 42 years, served 150th at Bluefield, Williamson, Welch, and during which time he was activated during the Berlin Crisis to Fort Meade, Md and traveled to Honduras during his service. Graduate of U.S. Army Command Sergeants Major Academy, El Paso, TX and remained a Command   Sergeant Major, 1st Battalion, 77th Brigade Troop Command, until his retirement in August 2001. After being out of school for 40 years, went to college and was a 1991 Graduate of University of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts degree and made the Dean's List 1991-1992. He was awarded the Six By Six Award for Excellence in Recruiting and was admitted as a Distinguished Knight in the Order of St. George for recognition for long and honorable service to Armor and Cavalry. He received the Award of Calvary Spurs for Headquarters 1 Squadron and also an award for Outstanding Support for helping R & R Force and WVARNG. He received numerous awards for Excellence in Recruiting several times. He was the Head Coach of Bengals Football teams for several years, winning the 1978 Bluefield City Championship and also coached Women's Softball teams in Bluefield Women's Softball. He served two terms as President of the Bluewell Lions Club and various other offices and received an award from McDowell County Drug Free Schools Program. He was a member of the Brushfork United Methodist Church serving as Finance Chairman for several years and was a former member of Sons of Italy, assisting in making spaghetti sauce for scholarships. He cherished his years with the four musketeers, Harry, Abe George. Jim Gibberson, and Bud Perdue, and spending holidays together, trips to Myrtle Beach and other places and years at Claytor Lake. He was an avid supporter of Bluefield Beaver sports, loved WVU Mountaineers football and basketball games, and North Carolina Tar Heels basketball games and in his later years loved his flannel sheets and electric blanket.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, brothers: Edward L. Comer, Jr. and Jack Comer. Survived by brothers: Franklin (Liz) Comer, Bill, Roger (Ellen) Comer, and Joe (Connie) Comer.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mollie Jo Skeen Comer, daughter Rama Dawn Faulkner and husband John, son Todd Comer and wife Kimberly, grandsons Craig Cardwell and wife Robin, Ryan Cardwell, and granddaughter, Cydney and husband Nick Long. He was an excellent and loving husband and father to his son and daughter and cherished his two grandsons and one granddaughter, along with two great granddaughters (Zoie and Avery Long) and one great step grandson (Andon Musick), and one great grandson, Brooks Thomas, due in November and another great grandchild in April. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Vivian Comer, Jane Comer, and Nellie Perdue and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 2:00 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with Rev. Melissa White officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell. The WV National Guard Honor Guard will conduct Military Honors.

Friends may call prior to services, from 1:00-2:00pm on Thursday, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Brushfork United Methodist Church, P. 0. Box 3132, Bluefield, WV 24701 or Second Chance 4 Cats, 874 Littlesburg Road, Bluefield, WV 24701.