John William Harness, III

February 3, 1954 – October 29, 2024

John Harness, of Waco, passed away October 29, 2024, after a brief stint in a local hospital fighting complications of sepsis. He was 70 years old.

John was born February 3, 1954, on the Fort Hood army base to John and Patsy Ruth. He grew up on the outskirts of Gatesville living a young boy's dream - hunting, fishing, camping, roaming the woods, hot rodding, and causing mischief wherever he went. He did find time to attend school between shenanigans, however, and graduated from Gatesville High in 1972.

After high school, John dallied in various entrepreneurships until he found his true calling working in the welding field. Always having a mind for machines, John could troubleshoot and fix anything and everything. Throughout the years, he developed an unmatched skill set that had people calling from miles around. After working with Waco Welders Supply and Airgas for many years, John eventually opened up his own repair shop in Waco, ARC Services, and thrived by taking service calls from across the state of Texas and beyond. He took on several proteges throughout the decades and touched innumerous lives through his mentorship and guidance.

One of John's biggest shenanigans, however, came to pass on September 6, 1980, when he married Veronica Elaine Dudik, to whom he was married for over 40 years until her death in 2022. In May of 1981, they welcomed their first child, a son, Jeremy Scott, and shortly thereafter in December of '85, their daughter, Lori Ann. John was an active participant throughout their childhoods and found his greatest joy when shooting with Jeremy and playing ball with Lori. He loved to coach softball and will forever be known as John-John by his softball ladies, all of whom he cherished and will miss him dearly.

Not only did John have a technical knack for machines, he also had a love for gun and knife collecting, hunting at the deer lease, and cooking. Throughout the years, John catered at numerous events with several buddies, most memorably the annual Texas Game Warden Association fundraiser, one year of which will forever live in the minds of Jeremy and Lori who were up to their own shenanigans. When it came to hunting, John was, yet again, a master of his trade. He cherished the many days and nights away from city lights, spent under the stars, 'shooting the shit' with his beloved friends. These lifelong relationships gave him the strength to carry on through life's hardships up until the very end.

There are no words to express the impact he had on everyone who knew him. He was ever the charmer, and will forever be missed.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Veronica. Survivors include his son, Jeremy Harness, of Waco, and his daughter, Lori Bartels, of Valley Mills; grandchildren, Braxton, Lane, Ella, and Jake Bartels, all of Valley Mills; and numerous extended family and friends.

The family wishes to express gratitude and appreciation for the entire medical staff at Providence Hospital for the exceptional care John received during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Valley Mills Youth Baseball Association, PO Box 234, Valley Mills, TX 76689 (Bartels scholarship account).

Per John's final wishes, his ashes will be scattered by family during a private ceremony.

Visitation with the family will occur Saturday, November 9 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of Valley Mills.

John William Harness III Memorial Video

Please join us in remembering John by signing our guestbook at
fossfuneralhome.com