James Leroy Harris
December 11, 1938 — March 19, 2018
James Leroy Harris was born on December 11, 1938 in Beatrice, Alabama to George Harris, Sr and Maude Harris. In 1958, James graduated from Monroe County Training School in Beatrice, Alabama.
As a young man, he learned to play the saxophone and developed a passion for music. He played in bands, formed his own, recorded an album and even performed for his idol, James Brown.
In 1961, he was drafted into the US Army and was assigned to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas for his basic training as a Petroleum Supply Specialist.
During the years of 1961 to 1965 he was stationed in Germany and Fort Ord California. His most notable tour of duty came when he served in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1966 with the 1st Calvary Division, and as a Helicopter Gunner with the Aviation Division. He returned from Vietnam and continued his service in Fort Ord, California where he also continued his passion for music and performing with his band around the Seaside, California area.
In 1969, he met and married Janice Hayden while stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado. They began their life together as a family with two sons and a daughter. During this time he was stationed at Fort Ord California for the third time, had multiple tours of duty in Germany, was assigned to Fort Benning Georgia and finally Fort Hood Texas where he retired from active
duty.
After 23 years of military service, James retired from the US Army in 1984 as a Sergeant First Class. He and his family settled in Columbus, Georgia where he was employed as a Civil Servant at Fort Benning for the next seven years until his retirement.
For his dedication to duty in the performance of outstanding service to his country he has been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, one Overseas Service Bar, the Good Conduct Medal (5th award), the Army Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbons, three NCO Professional Development Ribbons, and the M-16 Marksmen Qualification Badge.
James enjoyed his retirement, fishing, working on cars, taking care of his pets, bar-b-que-ing, and listening to music. He was known for his kindness, humor, warm smile and love for his family.
James passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on March 19, 2018. He is survived by his loving wife, Janice Harris; sons Ricky and Sammy Woods; daughter Vicki Harris; sisters Patricia Armstrong and Ruby Delois Hill; brother-in-law, Herbert Franklin; 6 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and 3 siblings, Mary Scott, Janie Lucille Franklin, and George Harris, Jr.
Funeral services with full Military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service with a private interment at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery.
3874 Gentian Blvd Post Office Box 7907
Columbus, GA, 31908
3874 Gentian Blvd.
Columbus, GA, 31907
As a young man, he learned to play the saxophone and developed a passion for music. He played in bands, formed his own, recorded an album and even performed for his idol, James Brown.
In 1961, he was drafted into the US Army and was assigned to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas for his basic training as a Petroleum Supply Specialist.
During the years of 1961 to 1965 he was stationed in Germany and Fort Ord California. His most notable tour of duty came when he served in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1966 with the 1st Calvary Division, and as a Helicopter Gunner with the Aviation Division. He returned from Vietnam and continued his service in Fort Ord, California where he also continued his passion for music and performing with his band around the Seaside, California area.
In 1969, he met and married Janice Hayden while stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado. They began their life together as a family with two sons and a daughter. During this time he was stationed at Fort Ord California for the third time, had multiple tours of duty in Germany, was assigned to Fort Benning Georgia and finally Fort Hood Texas where he retired from active
duty.
After 23 years of military service, James retired from the US Army in 1984 as a Sergeant First Class. He and his family settled in Columbus, Georgia where he was employed as a Civil Servant at Fort Benning for the next seven years until his retirement.
For his dedication to duty in the performance of outstanding service to his country he has been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, one Overseas Service Bar, the Good Conduct Medal (5th award), the Army Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbons, three NCO Professional Development Ribbons, and the M-16 Marksmen Qualification Badge.
James enjoyed his retirement, fishing, working on cars, taking care of his pets, bar-b-que-ing, and listening to music. He was known for his kindness, humor, warm smile and love for his family.
James passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on March 19, 2018. He is survived by his loving wife, Janice Harris; sons Ricky and Sammy Woods; daughter Vicki Harris; sisters Patricia Armstrong and Ruby Delois Hill; brother-in-law, Herbert Franklin; 6 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and 3 siblings, Mary Scott, Janie Lucille Franklin, and George Harris, Jr.
Funeral services with full Military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service with a private interment at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery.
VIsitation
MAR 26. 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (EDT)
McMullen Funeral Home3874 Gentian Blvd Post Office Box 7907
Columbus, GA, 31908
Funeral Service with Full Military Honors
MAR 26. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT)
McMullen Funeral Home Chapel3874 Gentian Blvd.
Columbus, GA, 31907
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