DAVID JOSEPH HARRIS

HARRIS, DAVID JOSEPH - age 84, of Knoxville, passed away Thursday, August 23, 2012, at The University of Tennessee Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born on March 23, 1928, in Atlanta, Georgia, to the late Leonard Wainman Harris and Mildred Gross Harris McClair. David married his childhood sweetheart, Polly Anna Philips, in 1949. After graduation from Emory University in Atlanta and Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, he served as Radio Officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph during the Korean conflict, retiring in 1973 after 20 years in the Intelligence Division of the US Navy Reserve. In civilian life, he was a representative for Standard Brands, Inc., in Atlanta, moving to Knoxville in 1962 after promotion to regional manager. He later represented Thermo Products, Inc., retiring in 1989. For the last 50 years of his life, he was a faithful member of Church Street United Methodist Church and the Murphy Builders Sunday School Class, who will serve as honorary pallbearers. He was predeceased by his sister, Jan Harris Bailey. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Polly Anna Philips Harris; children, Dr. David Harris, Jr. and wife Patti of Knoxville, Frank Philips Harris and wife T.R. of Marietta, GA, and Paula Morrison and husband Grainger of Knoxville; grandchildren, Dr. Lauren Lindsey Harris of Memphis, Dr. David J. Harris, III and fiancée, Dr. Jenn Whittington of Lexington, KY, Andrew P. Harris of Knoxville, and Madeleine Morgan Harris of Marietta; nephew, John Bailey, Jr. and family of Springfield, AL. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, September 1, 2012, at Church Street United Methodist Church with the Reverend Andy Ferguson, the Reverend Cabel W. Trent, the Reverend Darryl Rasnake and the Reverend Sarah Varnell officiating. The family will receive friends in the chapel immediately following. Interment and graveside services will be held Monday, September 3, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at City of Decatur, Georgia Cemetery with the Reverend Elizabeth Coppedge-Henley officiating. The family request that memorials in David's name may be made to Church Street United Methodist Church, 900 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements provided by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.