Zeb Marion Harry Jr.

Zeb Marion Harry, Jr., 87, passed away peacefully at Trinity Oaks in Salisbury, NC on June 26, 2026. Zeb, or as he was known in later years, “Big Zeb,” was born in Gastonia, NC on St. Patrick’s Day 1939 to Zeb M. Harry, Sr. and Margaret Scott Harry Orr. The family, including siblings Ann, Margaret, Ella, and Edward Scott moved to Salisbury in 1953. Zeb attended Boyden High School as well as Oak Ridge Military Academy before enrolling at NC State where he obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering. During his college years he also met and married his first wife Carolyn Mitchell Elgin. Zeb and Carolyn lived in Mt. Vernon, OH, Anderson, SC, and Long Island, NY before moving to Homeland Farm in Rixeyville, VA where they lived for many years and raised their two sons, Dr. Philip Scott Harry and Kevin Mitchell Harry. In 1968, Zeb left the field of engineering and took to the friendly skies as a pilot with United Airlines. Zeb expertly piloted aircraft ranging from Cessna 140s to wide-body jets and everything in between. Whether taking off from Charles DeGaulle in Paris or from a grass strip in his own cow pasture, Zeb was the consummate airman. He retired from commercial aviation in 1999. Zeb had a lifelong love of horses and was an accomplished equestrian. Legend has it that he rode a horse through a party at the family home in Milford Hills in his mischievous youth. In Virginia, he was an avid fox hunter and rode with the Warrenton Hunt with his second wife Elizabeth Sedun Harry. Zeb was adoptive father to Liz’s two children, Meredith Sedun Harry and Scott Sedun Harry. Later in life Zeb and Liz moved to Hidden Valley Farm in Steeles Tavern, VA on part of the historic Silas McCormick estate where they painstakingly restored an 1816 farmhouse and many outbuildings, creating a rural paradise. In 2017, Zeb and Liz returned to Salisbury to be closer to family. Zeb was predeceased by his parents, his sister Ann Harry Robinson, brother Edward Scott Harry, and wives Carolyn Elgin and Elizabeth Sedun Harry. He is survived by his son Philip Harry (Sondra) of Asheville, NC, son Kevin Harry (Laurel) of Salisbury, NC, daughter Meredith Somerset (Scott) of Camden, SC, son Scotty Harry (Ellis) of Whitefish, MT, bonus German exchange student son Leo Grunau (Johanne) of Buchs, Switzerland, sister Margaret Kluttz (George) of Salisbury, sister Ella Arnold of Lincolnton, GA, grandchildren Nate Harry (Paige), Kirstie Harry, Lila Harry, Zeb Harry, Cricket Somerset, PJ Somerset, North Harry, and Bennett Harry, as well as his beloved nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank his many caregivers, especially Jordan Young, Sonia White, Sharon Mae Marata, and the entire staff of Trinity Oaks. A graveside ceremony will be held at Gaston Memorial Park in Gastonia, NC at 3pm on August 22, to be followed by a visitation at the family lake house in Mooresville, NC. Memorial donations may be made to Bell Tower Green, Inc. at PO Box 2424, Salisbury NC, 28145. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Harry family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.