Luther "Skip" Gordon Harless
LUTHER G. (“SKIP”) HARLESS passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Abingdon Nursing and Rehab Facility from complications of dementia. Skip was born in Rocky Gap, VA on August 29, 1944 to Marion & Elsie Tabor Harless.
He graduated from Rocky Gap High School in 1962. After serving a term in Germany for the United States Army, her returned to Rocky Gap and purchased his grandfather’s farm.
Besides enjoying farming, Skip also worked for Consolidation Coal Co., followed by serving VDOT as an inspector until his retirement in 2000.
In his spare time, Skip enjoyed purchasing and refurbishing old farm equipment and was often referred to as “The Tractor Guru.”
In addition to his parents, Skip was preceded in death by his sisters, Patty Harless, Barbara Stockton, Peggy Williams, and Judy Cimino, along with his nephews, Paul Harless, Wade Cimino, Kenneth Williams and Jonathan Williams.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Margaret (Maggie) Malamisura Harless and her children and grandchildren, whom he loved as his own - Zach Perkins of Bluefield, VA and son Brayden of Virginia Beach, Zane Perkins and children Zane Anthony Perkins and Halen (his “Pretty Girl”) Perkins of Wytheville, VA, and Kara Perkins Barner (Russ) and children Beckett, Brooklyn and Bryce of Charlotte, NC.
Additional survivors include sons Randy and Kevin (Melina)Harless, grandsons Ben (Victoria) and Joseph Harless, ...brothers Doug (Jenny) of Wytheville, VA and David (Mary) Harless of Bastian, VA, brothers-in-law Dr. Mike Malamisura (Mary), Rocky Malamisura (Sandra) and Sam Cimino along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
In following Skip’s wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no formal funeral service. Instead, there will be a short eulogy followed by a casual, come as you are, gathering where the family will receive friends and offer a time to offer condolences and share memories of Skip’s life at Bastian Union Church on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2:00 P.M.
There will be a private interment to follow at a later date.
The Harless family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985.
