George Wesley Harris

1931 - 2022

George Harris
August 23, 1931 - February 12, 2022
Durham, North Carolina - George Wesley Harris of Durham, NC, passed away on February 12, 2022, at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Susan Wallace Harris; his children, Kathy Harris (Joe DiAndrea), Martha Harris, Caroline Harris (Colin Horwitz), and George Harris; and his grandchildren, Michael Lipschutz (Lauren DeBarr), Laura Lipschutz, Benjamin Harris, and Spencer Horwitz.
Born in Henderson, NC, the son of Frank and Elizabeth Graves Harris, George grew up in Wendell and Durham, NC. He graduated from Durham High School in 1949 and from the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy in 1953. In 1954, he married Duke University graduate Susan Wallace. George first worked as a pharmacist in Durham and Kinston, NC. In 1958, he opened the Glen Lennox Pharmacy in Chapel Hill. Over the years, he was known as "Smiling George Harris" for his warmth and sense of humor. He also served in local Democratic politics and on charitable boards and civic organizations.
In 1980, after their children were grown, George and Susan sold the pharmacy and took a sabbatical during which they traveled and enjoyed family time, local arts and sporting events, and leisure. George returned to pharmacy work with Kerr Drugs.
George loved cars and over the years enjoyed driving a 1961 Morgan Plus 4 convertible, a vintage 1947 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith, a 1963 Jaguar S-Type sedan, and an Opel 1900 sedan. He shared with his family his love of bicycling, kite-flying, the North Carolina coast, UNC sports, reading, and travel. George and Susan traveled extensively, including four voyages around the world. After the arrival of their first grandchild in 1985, they hosted yearly family beach reunions and made frequent trips to Pennsylvania, where all four of their grandchildren grew up.
Arrangements are by Cremation Society of the Carolinas. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center or the American Civil Liberties Union.