Harley Willard Stearns

Harley Willard Stearns, 79, of North Richland Hills, Texas, passed away on October 25, 2026.

Born on August 19, 1947, in Santa Anna, Texas, Harley was the son of Harley Stearns and Jewel James. One of seven children, he grew up in the rural community of Trickham, Texas, where his family maintained a farm. His upbringing instilled in him a lifelong appreciation for hard work, resourcefulness, family, and the outdoors.

Harley was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Pat; and three sisters, Cloda Grove, Estelle Griffin, and Dorothy Dupree. He is survived by his sisters, Geneva Lykins of Hurst, Texas, and Oda Key of Colbert, Oklahoma.

He is also survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Dickie Stearns; his son, Shawn Groves, and his wife, Jennifer; his daughter, Shelly Lanigan, and her husband, Brendan; and his four cherished grandsons, Grayson and Graham Groves, and Connor and Alexander Lanigan.

Harley proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from April 1968 to April 1970. During his service, he participated in Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) missions, conducting dangerous reconnaissance operations behind enemy lines. He was wounded in combat on September 30, 1968, and was awarded the Purple Heart in recognition of his sacrifice. He also received several other military decorations. Though his experiences in Vietnam remained with him throughout his life, Harley was a humble man who never sought recognition for his service.

Following his military service, Harley returned to work at Bell Helicopter before beginning a long career with the United States Postal Service. He dedicated 34 years to the Postal Service, eventually serving as Postmaster in Crowley, Texas. After retiring, he continued working in various capacities, never one to remain idle for long.

In July 2013, Harley was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Following major surgery, he was given a prognosis of just six months to live. Defying the odds, he went on to survive for more than 13 years, a remarkable achievement that his physicians and family considered nothing short of a miracle.

His journey was not without challenges. Harley endured numerous surgeries and medical complications over the years, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and determination. Even in the face of tremendous adversity, he continued to persevere.

Rather than allowing his diagnosis to define him, Harley used his experience to bring hope to others facing pancreatic cancer.

Alongside his wife, Dickie, he became actively involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). Early in his journey, Harley developed a close friendship with a fellow survivor named Les, whose encouragement helped give him hope during an uncertain time. That friendship inspired Harley to offer the same support to others facing the disease.

For years, Harley volunteered at PanCAN's PurpleStride events, spending time with survivors, newly diagnosed patients, and their families. He also spoke with patients recovering from Whipple surgery, offering reassurance, practical insight, and encouragement drawn from his own experiences. He was honored to serve as a featured survivor speaker at the Dallas–Fort Worth PurpleStride event, where he shared his remarkable story of survival.

Harley and Dickie also traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for increased federal funding for pancreatic cancer research, meeting with members of Congress to raise awareness and support for the disease.

Through his advocacy, Harley became a source of strength and hope for many. He understood firsthand the fear and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis and generously shared his experiences to help others navigate their own journeys.

Above all else, Harley was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. A kind man with a wonderfully dry sense of humor, Harley had a gift for delivering a perfectly timed sarcastic remark with an entirely straight face. He was dependable, generous with his time, and always willing to lend a hand. Whether something needed repairing, someone needed advice, or a family member simply needed help, Harley could be counted on to be there. He enjoyed figuring out how things worked and took pride in being able to fix just about anything.

Harley had a lifelong love of the outdoors, particularly hunting, fishing, and spending time at the family farm in Trickham. The farm remained a special place throughout his life, where he enjoyed gathering with family and friends to hunt, play cards, share stories, and simply enjoy one another's company. He took great pride in his tractor and cherished the time he spent working on the property.

When he wasn't outdoors or working on a project, Harley could often be found enjoying college football, classic Western movies, or traditional country music.

His greatest joy, however, was his family. Harley was immensely proud of his children and especially cherished his four grandsons. He delighted in their accomplishments and loved watching them grow, always wanting them to have opportunities and experiences beyond those he had known growing up.

Although declining health limited his activities in recent years, his love for his family never wavered. He treasured the time he spent with those closest to him and remained deeply proud of the family he had helped build.

Harley's life was one of service, resilience, generosity, and love. He will be remembered not only for the extraordinary challenges he overcame, but for his quiet strength, his unmistakable sense of humor, his willingness to help others, and the countless ways he showed his family how much they meant to him.

His legacy lives on through the family he loved so dearly and the many lives he touched along the way.

Harley will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Visitation, Funeral, and Burial Services

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, Texas 76053.

A funeral service celebrating Harley's life will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst.

Burial will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the many relatives, friends, medical professionals, and members of the pancreatic cancer community who supported Harley throughout his journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) in Harley's honor.