Ronald Avery Harrell

POLKTON – Mr. Ronald Avery Harrell, 71, died Thursday, July 23, 2020 at his home. Ron was born March 25, 1949 in Macon, GA and was a son of the late Robert L. Harrell and Ruby Sapp Harrell. He moved to NC as a young child with his family, and graduated high school in 1967 from Sun Valley in Indian Trail, attended Wingate College and graduated there in 1969 with an Associates Degree in Science, and graduated from UNCC in 1971 with a BS degree in Biology. He started work as a young teen building and installing clothesline posts and basketball goals with the help of his dad. His love for plants & nature led him to start his own landscape business, Harrell Brothers Farm and Nursery, which he owned and operated successfully for nearly 45 years, serving clients in the Indian Trail, Matthews and Charlotte areas. Ron was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. His big game hunting passion took him across the globe, traveling to places such as Africa, Argentina, Canada, and Mongolia, as well as all over the US. Aside from hunting & fishing, he enjoyed golfing, shooting pool, skiing, riding his Harley, shagging on the beach, and flounder gigging. But his greatest joy was spending time with his sweetheart of 12 years, sitting on the front porch and watching the wildlife around his pond. Surviving are his wife, Lorrie Johnson Harrell; his step-sons, Jamie Funderburke (Katie) and Jeremy Funderburke (Stephanie) both of Polkton; grandchildren, Bonnie, Bayla, Peyton and Madalyn; his brother and sister, Dean Harrell (Dawn) and Theresa Blankenburg (Don) both of Indian Trail; his mother-in-law, Joyce Johnson of Polkton and several nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces & nephews. The family requests no flowers please but to consider a memorial in Ron's memory to the charity of the donor's choice. There will be a private memorial service at a later date. The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com