Fred Earret "Pete" Harless

Mr. Fred Earret "Pete" Harless, 84, of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.

He was born on July 22, 1942, to the late Otis Benton Harless and Ruth Virginia Tibbs Harless in Mercer County, WV.

Pete served in the Winston-Salem Fire Department from 1963 until 1993, receiving a promotion to Deputy Chief in 1980, a promotion to Fire Chief in 1990, and would continue to serve for the next 3 years. Before his involvement with the WSFD, he obtained a Master of Arts Degree from Appalachian State University. Pete was also a devout member of Grace Baptist Church, attending regularly as long as his health permitted. In his free time, Pete enjoyed boating, woodworking, and spoiling his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Pete was preceded in death by his son, Fred Benton Harless; his three sisters; and his older brother.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Evelyn Holder Hartless; his two daughters, Sharon Cunningham (Bobby) and Jennifer “Jennie” Owens (Bobby); his grandson, Joshua Earret Harless (Meagan); three granddaughters, Kaitlyn Cunningham, Meredith Key, and Elisabeth Key; great-grandson, Kaden Harless; and dear friends, Richard and Leigh Underwood.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with Rev. Tim Wolf officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow the service at Westlawn Gardens of Memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Harless family.