Val J. Harris

Val J. Harris, 75, of Lewis Center, Ohio, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 12, 2024. The son of Glen and Gathel (Crum) Harris battled the last few months of his life, eventually succumbing to cancer.

Val graduated from Mount Gilead High School in the Class of 1966. He enjoyed many class reunions and other get-togethers.

Val graduated from Ashland University in 1970. While attending school in Ashland, he became an "undergraduate assistant coach" for Dr. Fred Martinelli and he was a member of the Gridiron Club for many years.

Val was one of only a few young men to be drafted out of a teaching position to serve in the U.S. Army. He was very proud to serve his country. He was trained in the medical corps and served in Phu Bai, Vietnam and El Paso, Texas.

In 1971 Val married Lynn Owen. They had a short honeymoon before he was sent to Vietnam. Val and Lynn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary two years ago.

Val resumed his teaching and coaching career after his honorable discharge from the Army.

Val enjoyed his 36-year career as a teacher, 18 of which were in Dublin City Schools. He loved his long history of coaching and was recognized in January of 2020 for 50 years of coaching football in Ohio. His first head coaching job was in New Bremen, Ohio and he has kept in touch with those young men through the years. He was also an assistant at Celina, Rockford-Parkway, Bucyrus, Cuyahoga Falls, Dublin, Olentangy, Jonathan Alder and Ohio Wesleyan University.

Over the years Val also coached basketball, both boys and girls, baseball, and volleyball. He was also a basketball official.

Val and Lynn were blessed with two children, Bethany, who passed away in 2002 from complications of Arnold Chiari Malformation Syndrome. Their son, Tim, survives with his wife, Angela, and their two children, Aidan and Avery. They reside in Pickerington, Ohio.

Also surviving is Val's sister, Jill Humphreys, and her husband, Bob; their children: Amy (Kenny) Scobee and Dutch, Bobby (Renee) Humphreys and Parker, Madeline and Catelyn. Jill and her family all live in Spring, Texas.

Val was a man of faith. He served as an elder at Alum Creek Church of Christ in Lewis Center for 25 years.

Family was extremely important to Val. He is survived by many cousins and two aunts. He loved visiting at family reunions. He especially loved going to Aidan and Avery's events.

Val's family will greet friends from 4 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the Alum Creek Church of Christ, 6256 South Old State Road, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035. The family will also greet friends there from 11 a.m. – noon on Thursday, July 18. Services to honor and celebrate his life will begin at noon with Pastor Adam Metz officiating. Military honors will conclude the service.

Memorial contributions in Val's name may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Snyder Funeral Homes are honored to have been chosen to serve Val's family. Special memories or condolences may be shared by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.