Harness

Wendall Clare Harness Sr., 86, of Seattle, Wash., died Dec. 22, 2021. He was born in Muskegon, Mich., on March 2, 1935, to Rev. George Harness and Clara (Thompson) Harness. As a toddler, Wendall’s family resettled in Staunton, Ill., where he lived until joining the U.S. Air Force at age 17. While stationed in Great Falls, Mont., Wendall met the love of his life and future wife, Lois Ann Christ. They were married on June 29, 1954.

Wendall proudly served 20 years with the U.S. Air Force. In 1962, he became a Special Agent for AFOSI retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant. Crediting the military with helping him find his way out of being a poor midwestern boy, Wendall tapped educational opportunities for active servicemen whenever he could, including earning his Associate degree from Shoreline Community College while stationed at Fort Lawton in Seattle, Wash.

At age 37, Wendall began a second career of 19 years with Insurance Crime Prevention Institute hiring on as their northwest regional agent responsible for investigating fraudulent insurance claims in cooperation with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. In 1980, Wendall, Lois and their daughter Lora relocated to Wilton, Conn. He was promoted to ICPI Corporate Director two years later. He served as corporate director of ICPI for nine years before permanently retiring at age 56. They returned to their Seattle family home in Magnolia in 1991, where Wendall savored all aspects of retirement. Wendall deeply loved Jesus, his family, friends and the United States of America.

Wendall is survived by his wife, Lois; four children, Wendy (Bill) Gage, Barbara (Mike) Lorsbach, Wendall Harness, Jr., and Lora Bresson; eight grandchildren, Paul, Robert, Marcus, Dillan, Emily, John, Molly, Nico; five great-grandchildren, Mable, Mikey, Gigi, Carter and Gus. Wendall was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; and infant daughter, Valerie Ann Harness.

Wendall was buried with military honors on Jan. 18, 2022, at Tahoma National Cemetery, in Kent, Wash.