Col. Harold G. Wells Jr., 94, of Southern Pines, died Friday, April 17, 2009, at Penick Village.

Born in 1915, in Stamford, Conn., he was the son of Marie Clark and Harold G. Wells Sr. of Cos Cob, Conn. He graduated from Greenwich High School in 1931, and the University of Connecticut in 1936, where he majored in forestry and education. He then became supervisor of Drinkwater Lumber Yard. In 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Middle East as squadron navigator for the 98th Bomb Group and received the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with clusters, Air Force Commendation medal and many ribbons and oak leaf clusters. After the war years, he was stationed at various Air Force bases in the United States, France, Japan and Hawaii. He taught ROTC at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Col. Wells retired after 30 years of distinguished service. He was an avid golfer, loved to travel, enjoyed gardening and was much loved by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Col. Wells was predeceased by his first wife, Frances Ronalter Wells, formerly of Stafford Springs, Conn. He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn (Burt); his two daughters, Janet Wells Errichetti, of Middlebury, Conn., Susan Wells Fischer and husband, Paul, of Kawaihae, Hawaii; his brother, Leonard, of Greenwich, Conn., three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service was held Monday, April 20, 2009, at the Penick Village Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation at www.parkinsons.org.

Online condolences may be sent to www.powellfuneralhome.com.