Thomas Wesley Harkless, age 66 of Newton Falls passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family following a long illness. Thomas was born on May 26, 1949 in New Castle, PA, the son of Thomas A. & Betty (Barnhouse) Harkless. He moved to Newton Falls in 1964 where he lived his entire life. On October 9, 1969, Thomas married his high school sweetheart, Laura Belle Howard. Tom and Laura have been blessed with 45 wonderful years of marriage. After police training, Tom was a Sergeant with the Newton Falls Police Department until 1979. Tom retired in 1994 after 13 years as a tire builder with Denman Tire. Tom was a US Army veteran serving during the Vietnam War from 1968 - 1970. While serving his country he earned many medals including the Bronze Star. He was a family man who enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and grandchildren. Loving memories of Tom will be carried on by his wife, Laura Harkless of Newton Falls, daughters, Beth (Richard) Hall of Lordstown, Tara (Justin) Morgan of Newton Falls, brother, Robert (Denise) Harkless of Newton Falls., sisters, Betty (Robert) Bumbaugh of Coeur d' Alene, ID, Ruth (Gordon) Hainey of Bullhead City, AZ, Robby Lynn (Keith) Geary of Coeur d' Alene, ID, and his five grandchildren, Michael Kolovich, Maggie Kolovich, Logan Harrah, Jess Harrah, Gigi Morgan and many nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Joyce Maxwell and niece, Missy Turner. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at James Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11:00 am at the funeral home where the family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Tom will be laid to rest at Newton Falls Cemetery. The family requests that contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Youngstown, OH 44512-2198 in Tom's memory. The family would like to give special thanks to the the doctors and staff at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center for their loving care of Thomas over the past years. Arrangements have been entrusted to James Funeral Home, 8 East Broad Street, Newton Falls, OH 44444. (330)872-5440. Family and friends may view Tom's obituary online and send condolences to his family at www.jamesfuneralhomeinc.com.