James Poe Harter Iii

James Harter died on September 18 at his home in Morgantown after a brief illness. He was 89. Harter was retired from a career as a technical representative in the electronics industry. He was also a devoted family man, a world traveler, a lifelong devotee of classic jazz, an award-winning amateur photographer, a US Navy veteran of two wars, and a connoisseur of single-malt. James Poe Harter III was born September 3, 1926, in Hagerstown, Maryland, son of James Harter Jr. and Grace Fink Harter. He is survived by three children and their spouses--James and Pam Harter of Murrieta, California, Bobby and JoEllen Willis of Hatteras, North Carolina, and Danny and Diane Williams of Morgantown--and by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Geraldine Ruthrauff Harter. The family will hold a private memorial observance. Gifts in his memory may be made to the Jazz Foundation of America (jazzfoundation.org), which supports musicians through medical and personal crises. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.