Valerian Eugene Harkins

Valerian Eugene Harkins, 76, of Yuba City, California, died Friday, May 29, 2020. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, Kansas, with military honors by the United States Navy. Valerian was born February 24, 1944 in rural Rantoul, Kansas, the son of Harriet Ilo (Carter) and Dennis Max Harkins. He has lived the last 30 years in California, also living in Greenland and England, growing up in the Lane, Kansas area. He graduated from Lane High School with the class of 1961. Valerian served in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1965 during Vietnam. After the service, Valerian was employed by Philco-Ford Corporation as a computer technician working on satellite tracking and NASA defense computer systems for nearly 25 years. He worked in various locations including Thule Greenland, England, and San Jose, California. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wilbur R. Harkins. Survivors include six brothers, Dennis D. Harkins (Jessica) of Rantoul, Henry D. Harkins (Ruth Ann) of Garden Plain, Kansas, Phillip L. Harkins (Elaine) of Gilmore, Texas, Dr. Davy J. Harkins (Gail) of El Dorado, Kansas, Victor L. Harkins of Cassoday, Kansas, and Roger E. Harkins (Dee) of Admire, Kansas; a sister, Dixie L. Zahrowski (Larry) of Gillette, Wyoming; and many nieces and nephews.