John T. HARRIS Jr.

GLOUCESTER - John Thadieu Harris Jr., 87, died peacefully in his Gloucester home on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.
He was born in South Norfolk, Va., to the late John T. Sr. and Emma Ferrell Harris, and was preceded in death by his sister, Joyce H. Wallace.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Doris Spencer 'Dottie' Harris; his devoted children and daughters-in-law, J. Thadieu Harris III, Noel A. Harris and his wife, Claudia, Douglas T. Harris and his wife, Lisa, and Melanie E. Harris; his loving grandchildren, Tucker, Spencer, Morella, and Isabella; and many nieces and nephews.
John received his B.S. in Business Administration from Virginia Tech and pursued most of his graduate work at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He moved with his family to the Middle Peninsula in 1968 and raised his children at Elm Grove Farm, on the banks of the North River, where he and Dottie lived for 38 years. John worked in the life insurance business for 54 years, and was an Agent Emeritus with Mass Mutual before retiring in 2007. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Gloucester, where he served as both an Elder and Deacon and taught Sunday school for 30 years. John was a former member of the Gloucester and Mathews branches of the Rotary Club. He was an avid hunter, loved his farm and his life on the North River, adored his family and was quick to help others. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WW II, in the Pacific Theater.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Rick Miller and the Rev. Dr. Douglas Nagel will officiate.
Memorial donations may be made to the Educational Fund of First Presbyterian Church or to Gloucester Habitat for Humanity.
Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, Va., is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.