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Ishamon Harris Obituary
Ishamon A. Harris Jr., 63, of Fond du Lac, passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. Ishamon was born on April 14, 1949 in Chicago, IL, a son of Ishamon and Freddie (Cross) Harris Sr.
On October 18, 1975 he married Barbara Ann Vinson in Joliet IL.
He served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969 as an armorer.
Ishamon attended Joliet Junior College and was employed at a number of places. He worked for the City of Joliet and the Will County IL Humane Society. Locally, he was shelter manager at the Fond du Lac County Humane Society, Asset Protection Manager at Sears, and a machinist at R. B. Royal.
Ishamon was a firm believer in community involvement. After he attended training with the founders of Tangled Web in San Francisco, he created the Peace Rally of Fond du Lac in May of 1996, helped found United for Diversity, was a member of the Equal Opportunities Commission, and the Fair Housing Commission and board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac. He was also a mentor to local robotics teams, Fondy Fire and Fondy Heat.
Ishamon loved just about everything, including art in which he incorporated all of his life experience to create pieces using metals, stained glass and wood. He was notorious for giving away his creations to anyone who enjoyed them. He was proud to have recently begun passing on his skills to anyone interested in learning, particularly his grandsons.
He is survived by Barbara, his wife for 37 years; two sons, Ishamon III (Amy) and Levi; two grandchildren, Shaman and Guardian; mother, Freddie Grandberry; four brothers, Edward (Joyce) Woods, Napoleon (Linda) Harris, Earl (Nola) Harris and Darrell (Rose) Harris; two sisters, Jacqueline Miles and Barbara (Henry) Davis; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding Ishamon in death are his father; three daughters, Reba Harris, Jacqueline Harris and Leah Harris.
Visitation: The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, January 7, 2013 from 11:00 AM until 1:45 PM, at the Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division St., Fond du Lac.
Services: At 2:00 PM on Monday, January 7, a Funeral Service of his life will be celebrated in Zacherl Funeral Home. Cremation will follow these services.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Zacherl Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ishamon Harris
Scott Whitt
December 29, 2013
Hey buddy miss sports talking with you hope the bears win one for you and i today
April 9, 2013
My condolences for the family and friends of Mr. Harris.
Rest in Peace, Dear Mr. Harris.
A friend of the Humane Society who requested your help many years ago, and never forgot your generosity of your time and kindness.
Penny Sherwood
March 21, 2013
Even though our online visits were short, I grew to admire your enthusiasm. You will be missed.
Paulene Mueller
January 29, 2013
Always a bright light, Ish was warm-hearted and welcoming every time we had a chance to talk. I am grateful for his gentle nature. He was a blessing to us.
Kenneth Moncrief
January 25, 2013
We will never forget you Ish, you are one of the great teachers, and friends that I have had the pleasure to know.
Pat
January 7, 2013
Barb and Family: Love you all, your in my prayers. I will miss my friend very much! From fishing to welding I had a wonderful friend/teacher, that will be sadly missed! Pat
Nancy Donohue
January 5, 2013
So sad.
Tony and Rachel Deich
January 4, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Our condolences to your family.
Sandy Drexel
January 3, 2013
I've been blessed this last year with the opportunity to spend some time with Ish in gathering archival material for United for Diversity. I am so happy that I got to know him a little better. Although I knew that he was an exceptional human being, I did not know the artist, the inventor, the teacher that he was. Perhaps his greatest gift was his ability to make those he interacted with feel special. Certainly that was my experience.
I recall one public gathering where Ish led everyone in singing "This Little Light of Mine". Ish, you will be sorely missed but your light will shine on and on.
January 3, 2013
Barb,
If it weren't for Ish's encouragement I probably would not have taken on presidency for United for Diversity but I was NOT going to let him down; not after all he and your family and friends did to get it started over 11 years ago. He was one of the sweetest men I've ever known, so interesting, so compassionate, so full of love. He truly, deeply will be missed. My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family in this time of transition. United for Diversity will work to keep Ishamons' legacy living in Fond du Lac for years to come. I am picturing Ish smiling his big beautiful smile with a guitar in one hand, waving a peace sign in the other... and in no pain tonight. Love & Peace, Tracy Abler (formerly Gravelle)
eileen mosey
January 3, 2013
my thoughts and prayers are with you Barb and your family. he was a great friend.
Vicky Melius
January 3, 2013
Ish, your patience and enthusiasm for working with the Robotics Teams will always be remembered. My teams and I learned a lot from you and I am blessed to have been able to work with you for the youth in our community.
jan geib
January 3, 2013
to the family, my prayers and thoughts are with you in this tough time,,,be proud knowing ish touched ALOT of lives and will be missed by many
January 3, 2013
Barb & Family,
My family is praying for your family...
Ish was a wonderful man & it was such a blessing to know him. We (The FDL Community) will be forever thankful for all that he gave to this community. We love him and will dearly miss him!
Daisy & Rufus Frazier
Rufus, Hazel & Daisy with Ish at UFD's celebrate commUNITY 2011
Daisy Frazier
January 3, 2013
January 3, 2013
I worked with Ish at Sears and I always thought he was a great guy. Even after we both had left Sears if we ran into each other we would always take a couple of mintues to talk and catch up. I will miss him.
Michele Murray
Brenda Wayne Wyatt
January 3, 2013
I will miss you my Facbook Friend. We did a lot of good work together. I know it will continue in the next life. God Bless your family and friends. You were a true HERO
Laura Jagdfeld
January 3, 2013
I hope there is lots of lots of bacon in Heaven waiting for you! It was an honor and a privilege to have known and worked with you at RBR
Laura Jagdfeld
January 3, 2013
I hope there is lots, of lots of bacon in heaven! It was truly an honor to have known and worked with you!
Julie Rist
January 3, 2013
Barb,
I am sorry for your loss, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Ish was an amazing man, his smile lite up a room. Memories of Ish include, the Brewer Game that a group from RB Royal all want to, you and Ish giving me the wooden highchair when my son was born & seeing him at Walleye weekend in the tent for Fondy Fire. The last time I saw Ish, was a few years ago when I visted him at All About Life rehab, But I thought of him often! RIP ISH
John Miskov
January 3, 2013
I, my two sons, Harley and Mitchell and daughter Kelsey will miss our long time friend, Ish was so bright, talented, creative, artistic, musical, and a great father. He excelled in educating and enlightening youth and all generations at every level. He was an amazing guy.
Genia Lovett
January 3, 2013
Barb and family,
Ish taught me much about listening and about understanding people with different views of our world. I'm a better person because Ish was a part of my life during my time in Fond du Lac. His work with United for Diversity made the world a better place. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. God bless.
Tim and Linda, Noah and Seth Henke
January 3, 2013
Barb, Ian, Amy and Levi-you are in our thoughts and prayers. It breaks my heart to know that the world has lost a truly amazing man. Ish has touched so many lives with his amazing talents and his love of life. It is a honor to us to call him our friend. He will forever live in our hearts. Please know that we are here for you if you should need us.
Anna Klinke
January 3, 2013
Ish always brightened my day at RB. No matter how bad the day was going he always found something humorous to say to lighten the moment. Thank you for your service to our country. Miss you always.
Jim Neumann
January 3, 2013
Ish was the eternal optimist. He touched many lives at RB Royal and in Fond du Lac with his contageous and courageous spirit.
Kristin Deaver
January 3, 2013
Barb,
I worked with you years ago at OTCO. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Thinking about you during this difficult time.
CAROL KEMPFER
January 3, 2013
YOU WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED, ISH
Scott Whitt
January 2, 2013
The Chicago bears just lost one of there best fans. And the world lost a great man
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