Obituary for Harold Wilson Harris, Jr.
Harold Wilson Harris, Jr., 91, of Brandon, FL (formerly of Cleveland, TN) passed away peacefully January 20, 2018. He was the son of Harold and Connie Wilson Harris, Sr. of Hendersonville, NC. He is survived by his sister Lillian Holbert of Knoxville, TN, brother John (Rose) Harris of Jacksonville, FL, his daughters, Connie (John) Miller of Brandon, FL, Debbie (Wendell) Dixon, Vickie (Jerry) Elliott and Gail Jones all of Cleveland, TN. Grandchildren Duncan and Bridget Miller, Derek and Matt Dixon, Jennifer (Randy) Buol, and Jeff (Charity) Elliott and several great grandchildren. Nieces and nephews Randy (Stephanie), Mark (Dawn), Carol, Donna, Ingrid, Richard (Ann) and Suzanne. He was born in Hendersonville, NC January 29, 1926 and was a member of Mud Creek Baptist Church. He lived there until he volunteered for active duty in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a radioman proudly serving on the USS LCS121 in the Pacific, was active in the Battle of Okinawa and the Occupation of Japan. After the war, he relocated with his family to Kentucky where he owned The College Grill and attended Georgetown College. He went through the Masonic Lodge of Kentucky Mount Vernon No. 14 and was a 32nd Degree. He was also active in the Scottish Rite and the Shriners. He eventually moved to Knoxville, TN where he started a family and later moved them to Cleveland, TN. While in Cleveland, he was active in the VFW Post 2598 and the American Legion Post 81 where he served twice as the Commander. He owned his own business, The Harris Company, which worked with schools all over Tennessee to raise additional funds for educational activities and expenses. He was a member of the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the Revolution and was a genealogy enthusiast. In the 1980’s, he spent years researching and eventually tracking down all of his shipmates from World War II and organized their first of many reunions. A travel buff, he saw the world and encouraged others to do the same. He spent his final years primarily in Brandon, FL but his heart stayed in NC and TN. His memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, January 26, 2018 at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be mailed to Shriners Hospital for Children-Tampa, In Memory of Harold W Harris, 12502 USF Pine Drive, Tampa FL 33612.
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Graveside
Friday
26
Jan
11:30 AM
Florida National Cemetery
6502 S.W. 102nd Avenue
Bushnell, FL 33513
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