Benjamin Thomas Harrell

Diana,

I know your mom through the OHSU Foundation. I was so sorry to hear about Ben. My heart is breaking for your family, you and your girls.
Take comfort in knowing that Ben is in a wonderful, loving place, where there is no pain. And - you will see him again.
Perhaps you could use this time to journal memories & stories from days past. These will be helpful and greatly appreciated by your family and your girls in years to come.

Be strong, be well and believe.

Gus,

I am so sorry to read about Ben's passing. I remember once during the summer of '71, right after you hired me at TVA, that you and Nelda had me over for dinner and young Ben came romping by with a couple of neighbor kids. Such a long time ago.

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Gail, Nelda, and the rest of your family.

Sherri and Nelda: Although I never met Ben, I feel as if I have. Knowing Ben through Sherri has been a great honor. And knowing the love a Mother has for a son is something I totally understand. The support system y'all developed to help care for Ben was truly amazing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family. Love,Debbie Daniel

Diana, I am sorry for your loss.. of good husband and father to your girls. God Bless you all.. Ben was a nice employer to me yrs back when he created Harrell Medical. I was his sells assistant.. He taught me how to wk.. Jump in there.. Do not be afraid.. they all want to hear what you have to say. GOOD values in work and family.. I will miss his accent.* WE lost my 83 yr old mom last Thursday of a sudden heart condition.. she did not suffer long... like your Ben !* Maria Duvall

nela/mel...i am so sorry for your loss. although you have been fighting for him and the cancer for a long time. this was not easy but you guys never gave up. the only way i could get through my mother's death was to focus on how many years i was lucky enough to have her. i hope this will help you. God and you guys are i my prayers. joann

I never met Ben, but I feel like I knew him through the sparkle I always saw in his loved ones' eyes whenever they spoke of him. His courageous battle to stay on this earth and share his love with his family for as long as humanly possible is a humbling lesson and an inspiration for all of us. I have been praying for Ben for a long time now, and my fervant prayers will continue for his family. I believe Ben passed with great gentleness from the loving arms of his family into the loving arms...

My prayers are with you and your family. Ben was a wonderful man, and left a lot of great memories with his Knoxville friends.

I'm so sorry for your loss; Ben was a good man.

That indomitable spirit,ever present smile and love of life...that is the Ben we all grew to love and still love.
Diana, we have cried with you and laughed with you during this journey, but I feel safe to say we have all grown to love the woman that captured Ben's heart and we thank you for allowing us to take that journey through Caring Bridge updates, many of which had to very difficult to compose.
For the entire family, I offer my deepest sympathy, love and prayers for healing...