Lincoln-Way Central Community Honors Memory of Color Guard Director

The Lincoln-Way community is mourning the loss of Felton Harlan, 41, beloved color guard director for the Lincoln-Way Central Marching Knights.

A GoFundMe has been established to cover funeral expenses and raise funds for a scholarship in his name.

“Felton was a wonderful person who inspired us all the be the very best we could be every day,” wrote former student Kaylene Kolpak on a Facebook memorial page. ”He was constantly laughing and always knew what to do or say to make your day brighter. I am grateful for everything he has taught me, and I am truly lucky to have known such a great person.”

Harlan had been at Lincoln-Way Central since 2009. He also previously taught at Marian Catholic.

“His dedication to the pageantry arts was legendary and his passion for teaching was unparalleled,” wrote the organizer of the GoFundMe page. “He has touched our hearts and made our lives better just by knowing him, now it’s our turn.”

Lincoln-Way District 210 donated the remainder of his stipend, bringing the total raised to $11,340 in just two days. The visitation will be Friday, August 21 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home, 5838 W. Division, Chicago. The funeral will be Saturday, August 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

His full obituary can be found below:

Felton Harlan Jr. III was born on January 31, 1974 to (Al) Felton Harlan Jr. and Shirley S. Harlan in Chicago, Illinois. He was lovingly called “Nookie” by his family and “Bondah” by his closest friends. He was dedicated back to the Lord when he was born.

Felton went to elementary school at John Hay and Falconer. Felton always excelled in his studies; he graduated from 8th grade with Honors and from Prosser Vocational High School with Honors. Felton attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice. Felton held a lifelong dream of a career in law enforcement and served in the Department of Homeland Security.

In the summer following his graduation from high school, Felton joined the elite Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps, where he and his corps members competed and won the DCI Championship in the 90’s. From this experience, Felton developed a lifelong love of the Corps, traveling across the country as a mentor-coach-director to several Corps in Illinois, including his most recent post as Guard Director for the Lincoln-Way Central Marching Knights in New Lenox, Illinois.

Felton was also a family man, bringing his love and unique sense of humor to family gatherings. He was a wonderful uncle to his his niece, Makayla and his nephew, M.J. spoiling and caring for them as his own. Felton enjoyed traveling, fine dining, riding his motorcycle, computers, reading and his dogs.

Felton leaves to cherish his memory: A loving father, (Al) Felton Harlan Jr. II; a loving mother, Shirley S. Harlan; two brothers, Eric Harlan (Tonya) and Matthew D. Harlan (Kisha); a grandmother, Arlene Harlan in Columbia, TN; two great-uncles, William “Bill” Berry and Sherman Berry; great-aunt, Marie Hurd; three uncles, Bishop Bruce Berry (Diane); Shensky Berry and Rufus Berry; five aunts, Christine Green, Marlene Evans, Diane Berry, Vera Berry and Anita Berry; two special cousins, Min. Artavia B. Berry and Sharae Green; his closest life-long friends, Lionell Moore, Jamie Oakley, Warren Rickert, Hermes Santana and Mark Criss; and a host of loving cousins, friends, students and his extended family from the Drum and Bugle Corp