Mr. James Charles Harris

James Charles Harris, 79, of Salisbury entered life eternal at the Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury, NC on Friday, February 3, 2017 surrounded by his loving wife and family. Born July 14, 1937 in Damascus, VA, he was the son of the late James Arch and Willie Leona Harr Harris and the husband of Peggy Marlene Finley Harris, whom he married on August 4, 1957. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 1:00 with a visita-tion prior to the service beginning at 12:00 at Milford Hills United Methodist Church in Salisbury, NC, where he has been a member since 1970 and served on various committees and as a Golden Rule Sunday School teacher. The Rev. Carol Williams-Gilbert will officiate his service with special speaker, Pastor Jerry Hagler. In addition to his loving wife, Mr. Harris is survived by his children: Marcia Harris Haddock (Jack), Davidson, NC; James Michael (Mike) Harris (Betsy), Mooresville, NC; and Elizabeth Harris Sollecito (Michael), Roanoke, VA and his grandchildren: James Michael Harris, II, Nashville, TN; Christiana Marlene (Marlee) Harris, Knoxville, TN; Mary Katherine Harris, Orlando, FL; John Edward Haddock, Jr. and Meredith Caroline Haddock, Davidson, NC; and Michael Anthony Sollecito and Allison Marie Sollecito, Roanoke, VA. He is also survived by his sister, Patsy Bridgeman (Tony), Concord, NC, and his sister-in-law, Betty Repass (Grant) from Mt. Juliet, TN. He was also blessed by a great number of nieces and nephews and their children. Mr. Harris graduated from Damascus High School in Damascus, VA in 1954 where he excelled at football. He graduated from Lees McRae College in 1959, a junior college at the time where he was affectionately known as Big Jim and awarded MVP honors in football. He then graduated from Emory and Henry College in 1961 with a BA in English and minor in French . He returned to Damascus as a high school teacher, coach, and director of the school play. He began his career with State Farm Insurance Companies on January 1,1964 as an agent in Abingdon, VA and moved to Salisbury, NC in 1970 to become an agency manager for Salisbury and the surrounding area. As a manager, for many years Mr. Harris also taught classes to new agents entering the business in the State Farm Regional Office, Charlottesville, VA. He achieved the Crystal Excellence designation with State Farm before retiring in 1995 to spend time with his family and friends. Mr. Harris owned land in the West Rowan Community for many years where he enjoyed farming, gardening vege-tables and roses, fishing, and riding each of his grandchildren on his tractor. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed trav-eling the world, camping trips in his recreational vehicle, hunting trips to various locales, and hosting family trips to Walt Disney World and the coast. He loved Southern Gospel Music and attended various quartet conventions throughout the Southeast. He also enjoyed spending winters in Florida and sharing his love for classic cars at Cruise In events in the surrounding area. Civically, he was active in the Abingdon, VA Jaycees, the Gideons of Rowan County, and served as a Rowan County Hospice volunteer by providing respite as a sitter for families under hospice care in their homes before his declining health. Mr. Harris also coached Little League Football from 1972-74, and was a member of the Golf Association of Rowan Seniors (GARS), which he thoroughly enjoyed for many years after he retired. Amidst their grief, the family wishes to thank all who served Mr. Harris at the Winston- Salem and Charlotte ALS Centers, nurses from Tender Hearted Care, his medical team at Rowan Medical Center, and also at Kiser Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Milford Hills United Methodist Church, 1630 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC 28144 or Gideons International, North Camp c/o Dr. Gary Sims, 350 Hidden Hut Road, Salisbury, NC 28147. Mr. Harris will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather who was a strong leader and man of integrity. His majors investments were made in people and the dividends of such a life well lived will continue to produce people who give without thought of the return and point others to Jesus Christ. He will be sorely missed by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, and all who loved and knew him.

Mr. James Charles Harris

July 14, 1937 - February 3, 2017